“And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.”
Context:Numbers 31 records the account of the Israelites’ victory over the Midianites. The Lord had commanded Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites for seducing the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality. After defeating Midian, the Israelites plundered their cities and took captive their women, children, livestock, and spoils of war.
Understanding the historical context:The Midianites were a nomadic people living east of Israel. They had played a significant role in Israel’s history, both as allies and adversaries. In this instance, they had become adversaries by leading the Israelites into sin, causing God’s anger to be kindled against them.
The purpose of the conquest:The conquest of Midian was a part of God’s judgment against their wickedness and a means to protect the Israelites from further seduction into idolatry. It served as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of obedience to His commands.
The role of women in war:The verse mentions that there were “thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.” These women were taken as captives in the war. It is essential to note that this verse is not condoning or promoting any form of mistreatment or exploitation of women. The circumstances of war in ancient times often resulted in such outcomes, but God’s ultimate desire is always for justice, mercy, and respect for all individuals.
Significance of the phrase “had not known man by lying with him”: This phrase refers to the women who were virgins, having not engaged in sexual relations. The purpose of this distinction may have been to indicate that they were not married or previously defiled by adultery or sexual immorality.
