“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
This verse serves as an introduction to the following instructions given by the Lord to Moses. To gain a better understanding of the context, let’s explore the surrounding verses as well.
Numbers 31:1-24 provides the background for this verse. In summary, the Israelites had waged war against the Midianites due to their involvement in leading the Israelites astray and causing them to worship false gods. The Israelites were victorious in the battle, and after their return, Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation assembled outside the camp to address the spoils of war.
Numbers 31:26 onwards gives instructions on how the spoils of war should be divided among the Israelites. But let’s focus on Numbers 31:25 for now.
The verse you mentioned, Numbers 31:25, simply introduces the conversation between the Lord and Moses. It serves as a transition verse, indicating that what follows is a divine instruction from God to Moses regarding the spoils of war.
To gain a deeper understanding of the passage, it is essential to examine the verses that follow. In Numbers 31:26-47, God gives detailed instructions on how the spoils of war are to be divided among the Israelites, including both people and animals. The instructions encompassed the distribution of various items, such as captives, livestock, precious metals, and other plunder.
In these verses, God instructs Moses and Eleazar to divide the spoils of war into two parts: one half to be given to the warriors who fought in the battle, and the other half to be shared among the congregation of Israel. The portion allocated to the soldiers was to be further divided equally between those who went to war and those who stayed behind.
The allocation of spoils was an acknowledgment of the efforts and sacrifices made by the warriors in battle, and it also ensured that the entire community shared in the blessings and provisions resulting from the victory.
In summary, Numbers 31:25 is a transitional verse that introduces the divine instructions given by God to Moses regarding the distribution of the spoils of war among the Israelites. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses where God outlines the specifics of how the spoils should be divided.
