Numbers 31:27

27 Divide the spoils equally between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community.

Numbers 31:27 in Other Translations

27 And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:

27 and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation.

27 Then divide the plunder into two parts, and give half to the men who fought the battle and half to the rest of the people.

27 Split the plunder between the soldiers who fought the battle and the rest of the congregation.

27 Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to war and the entire community.

Numbers 31:27 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:27

And divide the prey into two parts
Into two equal parts, both the number of the people and of the cattle, when taken:

between them that took the war upon them, and went out to battle;
the soldiers; and by this it appears that they went voluntarily and cheerfully:

and between all the congregation;
so that the part of them that went to battle, and of those that stayed in the camp, were alike, and which in process of time became a statute and ordinance, ( 1 Samuel 30:24 1 Samuel 30:25 ) ( Psalms 68:12 ) .

Numbers 31:27 In-Context

25 The LORD said to Moses,

26 “You and Eleazar the priest and the family heads of the community are to count all the people and animals that were captured.

27 Divide the spoils equally between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community.

28 From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD one out of every five hundred, whether people, cattle, donkeys or sheep.

29 Take this tribute from their half share and give it to Eleazar the priest as the LORD’s part.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 22:8; 1 Samuel 25:13; 1 Samuel 30:24