Numbers 31:18

[tonsofquestions]

Numbers 31:17-18 “slay, therefore, every male child and every woman who has had intercourse with a man. But you may spare and keep for yourselves all girls who had no intercourse with a man”. Did God really let the Israelite men to keep all the little virgin girls for themselves? Is that what these verses are saying?

 

[Todd_Easton]

Yes. That appears to be the case, judging by what is said in verses 32-47; half of the 32,000 Midianite girls who were spared went to the Israelites who fought, the other half went to those who stayed behind, and one out of fifty went to the Levites who had charge of the Lord’s Dwelling.

 

[tonsofquestions]

Yes. That appears to be the case, judging by what is said in verses 32-47; half of the 32,000 Midianite girls who were spared went to the Israelites who fought, the other half went to those who stayed behind, and one out of fifty went to the Levites who had charge of the Lord’s Dwelling.

Thanks, I just wanted to see whether this was supposed to have some hidden metaphorical meaning or something. Thanks for your response!

 

[Todd_Easton]

Perhaps what we can learn from this verse is to praise God for his justice in using the Israelite army to destroy the idolatrous Midianites, to praise Him for His mercy in sparing the 32,000 Midianite girls, and to praise Him for His providence in giving the girls into the care of the Israelite community.