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Num. 31:1–54 The Midianites were nomadic people who lived in the deserts on the outside edges of Canaan. They were associated with the Ishmaelites, Amalekites, and Moabites. It is the Moabite Midianites who are discussed here. Urged on by Balaam (v. 16), they had seduced the Israelites into worshiping Baal at Peor (ch. 25). Since persuading Israelites to worship other gods is a capital offense (see Deuteronomy 13), the Lord instructs the people to go to war against these Midianites. This will be the last campaign headed by Moses (Num. 31:1–2), but the Israelites will fight many similar battles against the enemies of God after they enter Canaan.
Num. 31:6 Phinehas had intervened to stop the plague brought on by the worship of Baal (25:7). Here, he goes into battle as chaplain of the army because his father, the high priest, has to keep away from the pollution caused by death in battle. Vessels of the sanctuary may refer to the priestly garments, the ark, or the Urim and Thummim (see note on Ex. 28:30).
Num. 31:13–18 Normally in wars outside Canaan, the women were spared (Deut. 20:14). But because these women had seduced the Israelites, they had to be killed (compare Num. 25:6–9). Killing every male among the little ones would end the Midianite nation. Girls without sexual experience, who were not involved with the sin of Baal-peor, were allowed to live and marry Israelite warriors.
Num. 31:19–24 Though the war had been ordered by God, it still made the soldiers unclean. They and the spoils had to be purified.
Num. 31:25–47 Half of the spoils of war went to the soldiers and half to those who stayed behind (v. 27; compare 1 Sam. 30:24). From their share the soldiers were to give one-five-hundredth to the priests. From their share the people were to give one-fiftieth to the Levites. Similar instructions are given in Num. 18:26 for tithes.
Num. 31:48–54 Conducting a census involves an offering of half a silver shekel per person (Ex. 30:11–16). On this occasion they dedicate all the gold captured from the Midianites: 16,750 shekels (Num. 31:52) on behalf of 12,000 warriors (v. 5).
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