The Bible — notes and cross-references in Numbers | Interpretation and commentary to chapter 31

31:2^1a Midianites

In typology, the Midianites signify the filthiness of the lust of the flesh, which is related to the devil Satan and the world (1 John 2:16; 5:19). The Midianites were descendants of Abraham, born of his second wife, Keturah. Hence, by nature they were close to the Israelites in the flesh (Gen. 25:1-2). The Midianites were united with the Moabites, the descendants of Lot born through incest in the lust of the flesh (Num. 22:3-4, 7; Gen. 19:30-38). Furthermore, the Midianites were one with the Ishmaelites, the descendants of Abraham by the flesh, who sold Joseph into Egypt (Gen. 37:27-28, 36). The Midianites were also connected with the Amalekites, the descendants of Esau (Judg. 6:3, 33; Gen. 36:12). Finally, the Midianites produced Balaam, who ensnared the children of Israel in fornication and idolatry (Num. 22:7; 31:16).

By ensnaring the sons of Israel in fornication and idolatry, the Midianites offended Israel to the uttermost, with the result that more than twenty thousand lives were lost. God would not forget that, and He charged Moses to avenge Israel on the Midianites.

31:2^b gathered

Num. 27:13; Deut. 32:50

31:6^a vessels

Josh. 6:6, 13

31:7^a killed

cf. Deut. 20:13; Judg. 21:11; 1 Sam. 27:9; 1 Kings 11:15-16

31:8^a And

Josh. 13:21-22

31:8^b Balaam

Num. 31:16; Josh. 13:22

31:12^a booty

cf. Deut. 20:14; Josh. 8:2

31:14^a service

Num. 1:3

31:15^a kept

cf. 1 Sam. 15:3

31:16^a these

Num. 25:1-3, 18

31:16^b Balaam

Rev. 2:14

31:16^c plague

Num. 25:9

31:19^1a purify

Num. 19:11-12

All the matters in vv. 13-24 concerning the purging and purifying of the captives and the spoil indicate that everything related to God must be clean, having been purged, purified, or washed.

31:19² third

See note Num. 19:12¹.

31:23^a fire

cf. Zech. 13:9; 1 Cor. 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:7

31:23^b water

Num. 19:9

31:24^a wash

Lev. 11:25

31:24¹ clothes

Our clothing signifies our behavior (Isa. 64:6). The washing of our clothes signifies the washing of our behavior and of all that we are.

31:27^a halve

Josh. 22:8; 1 Sam. 30:24

31:28^a one

cf. Num. 18:26; 31:30-41

31:29¹ Eleazar

Because Eleazar the priest was one with Jehovah, whatever was given to Jehovah as a tribute by the fighters went to Eleazar the priest. What was given to Eleazar became a heave offering. This signifies that the tribute was put into ascension for a memorial before Jehovah and that this eventually became the high priest’s portion.

31:29^a Jehovah’s

Num. 18:28

31:31¹ commanded

This chapter portrays a beautiful picture of one accord among God’s people. Everything was done according to Jehovah’s commandment given through Moses, and none of the people expressed any opinion or made any proposal. The one accord was the factor that led to Israel’s victory over the Midianites.

31:50¹ expiation

The officers were sensitive and knowledgeable, realizing that there was something concerning them that was not right or fitting and that they needed to make expiation for themselves before God so that their situation with God could be appeased.

31:54^a memorial

Exo. 30:16