War with Midian

In context

The Lord told Moses to take vengeance on Midian: “Afterward you shall be gathered to your people” (Numbers 31:2), a way of saying he would die. Midianite women had led Israel into the sin at Peor “through the counsel of Balaam” (31:16; 25:16–18). A thousand men from each tribe went to war. This is a hard chapter: the army killed the men of Midian, and then Moses ordered that all the captives but the girls be killed (31:7–18).

The plunder was split in half, between the soldiers and the community, with shares for the priest and the Levites (31:25–47). The officers counted their men, “and there lacks not one man of us,” and brought the Lord an offering of gold, 16,750 shekels, about 368 pounds (31:48–52).

The tribes of Reuben and Gad had great herds, and asked for the grazing land of Gilead, east of the Jordan in today’s Jordan (32:1–5). Moses likened it to the spies at Kadesh Barnea, who had discouraged Israel from entering the land (32:6–13). They promised to cross the river armed and fight beside the other tribes until every tribe had its land, and Moses agreed, warning, “be sure your sin will find you out” (32:16–23). Years later Joshua sent them home with his blessing, their promise kept (Joshua 22:1–6).