The Madianites are slain for having drawn the people of Israel into sin. The dividing of the booty.
The Madianites are slaine in battle, for that they had drawen the people of Israel to sinne. 11. The praye is brought to Moyses, 14. VVho being angrie that the wemen (which were the occasion of sinne) are saued aliue, commandeth to k•lal the male children, and al the wemen sauing only virgins. 19. The souldiars are purified, as also the praye, 26. and then diuided among the victours, and other people, taking out portions for the Leuites. 48. The princes of the hoste geue free offerings to our Lord.
1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:E il Signore parlò a Mosè, e disse:AND our Lord spake to Moyses, saying:Locutusque est Dominus ad Moysen, dicens: 2Revenge first the children of Israel on the Madianites, and so thou shalt be gathered to thy people.Fa' prima vendetta del male fatto da' Madianiti a' figliuoli d'Israele, e poi te ne andrai al tuo popolo.Reuenge first the children of Israel on the Madianites, and so thou shalt be gathered to thy people.Ulciscere prius filios Israël de Madianitis, et sic colligeris ad populum tuum. 3And Moses forthwith said: Arm of you men to fight, who may take the revenge of the Lord on the Madianites.E Mosè subito disse: Si mettano all'ordine per combattere un numero di vostra gente, che possano esercitar la vendetta del Signore sopra de' Madianiti:And Moyses forthwith said: Arme of you men to fight, which may take the reuenge of our Lord on the Madianites.Statimque Moyses: Armate, inquit, ex vobis viros ad pugnam, qui possint ultionem Domini expetere de Madianitis. 4Let a thousand men be chosen out of every tribe of Israel to be sent to the war.Si scelgano mille uomini da ogni tribù d'Israele, che si spediscano a questa guerra,Let a thousand men of euerie tribe be chosen of Israel to be sent to the warre.Mille viri de singulis tribubus eligantur ex Israël qui mittantur ad bellum. 5And they gave a thousand of every tribe, that is to say, twelve thousand men well appointed for battle.E furono eletti mille di ogni tribù, cioè dodici mila uomini armati di tutto punto:And they gaue a thousand of euerie tribe, that is to say, twelue thousand wel appointed to fight:Dederuntque millenos de singulis tribubus, id est, duodecim millia expeditorum ad pugnam: 6And Moses sent them with Phinees the son of Eleazar the priest, and he delivered to him the holy vessels, and the trumpets to sound.I quali Mosè, spedì con Phinees figliuolo di Eleazaro sommo sacerdote; e diede a lui anche i vasi santi, e le trombe per suonare.whom Moyses sent with Phinees the sonne of Eleazar the priest, and the holie vessel, and the trumpettes to sound he deliuered to him.quos misit Moyses cum Phinees filio Eleazari sacerdotis, vasa quoque sancta, et tubas ad clangendum tradidit ei. 7And when they had fought against the Madianites and had overcome them, they slew all the men.E avendo attaccata la mischia co' Madianiti, e avendoli vinti, uccisero tutti i maschi,And when they had fought against the Madianites and had ouercome, al the men they slew,Cumque pugnassent contra Madianitas atque vicissent, omnes mares occiderunt,
8And their kings Evi, and Recem, and Sur, and Hur, and Rebe, five princes of the nation: Balaam also the son of Beor they killed with the sword.E i loro re, Evi, e Recem, e Sur, e Hur, e Rebe, cinque principi di quella nazione: uccisero anche Balaam figliuolo di Beor.and their kinges Eui, and Recem, and Sur, and Hur, and Rebe, fiue princes of the Nation: Balaam also the sonne of Beor they killed with the sword.et reges eorum, Evi, et Recem, et Sur, et Hur, et Rebe, quinque principes gentis: Balaam quoque filium Beor interfecerunt gladio. 9And they took their women, and their children captives, and all their cattle, and all their goods: and all their possessions they plundered:E presero le loro donne, e i fanciulli, e tutti i bestiami, e tutte le robe loro: tutto quel che poterono avere fu messo a saccomanno.And they tooke their wiues, and litle ones, and al their goodes: whatsoeuer they had bene able to make, they spoiled:Ceperuntque mulieres eorum, et parvulos, omniaque pecora, et cunctam supellectilem: quidquid habere potuerant depopulati sunt: 10And all their cities, and their villages, and castles, they burned.E furono consumate dalle fiamme le città, e i borghi, e i castelli.as wel cities as townes and castels the fire did consume.tam urbes quam viculos et castella flamma consumpsit. 11And they carried away the booty, and all that they had taken both of men and of beasts.E tolsero la preda, e tutto quello, onde si erano impadroniti, tanto uomini, come bestie,And they tooke the praye, and al thinges that they had taken as wel of men as of beastes,Et tulerunt prædam, et universa quæ ceperant tam ex hominibus quam ex jumentis, 12And they brought them to Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and to all the multitude of the children of Israel. But the rest of the things for use they carried to the camp on the plains of Moab, beside the Jordan over against Jericho.E li condussero a Mosè, e ad Eleazaro sommo sacerdote, e a tutta la moltitudine de' figliuoli d'Israele: le altre robe poi le portarono agli alloggiamenti nella pianura di Moab vicino al Giordano dirimpetto a Gerico.and they brought them to Moyses, and Eleazar the priest, and to al the multitude of the children of Israel. but the rest of the implementes they caried to the campe in the champion countries of Moab, beside Iordan against Iericho.et adduxerunt ad Moysen, et Eleazarum sacerdotem, et ad omnem multitudinem filiorum Israël: reliqua autem utensilia portaverunt ad castra in campestribus Moab juxta Jordanem contra Jericho.
13And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the princes of the synagogue went forth to meet them without the camp.E Mosè ed Eleazaro sommo sacerdote, e tutti i principi della sinagoga andaron loro all'incontro fuora degli alloggiamenti.And Moyses and Eleazar the priest went forth, and al the princes of the synagogue to meete them without the campe.Egressi sunt autem Moyses et Eleazar sacerdos, et omnes principes synagogæ, in occursum eorum extra castra. 14And Moses being angry with the chief officers of the army, the tribunes, and the centurions that were come from the battle,E Mosè andò in collera contro i capi dell'esercito, i tribuni, e i centurioni, che tornaron dalla guerra;And Moyses being angrie with the princes of the hoste, the tribunes, and the centurions that were come from the battle,Iratusque Moyses principibus exercitus, tribunis, et centurionibus qui venerant de bello, 15Said: Why have you saved the women?E disse: Perché avete salvate le donne?said: Why haue you reserued the wemen?ait: Cur feminas reservastis ? 16Are not these they, that deceived the children of Israel by the counsel of Balaam, and made you transgress against the Lord by the sin of Phogor, for which also the people was punished?Non sono elleno quelle che a suggestione di Balaam sedussero i figliuoli d'Israele, e vi fecero prevaricare contro il Signore col peccaminoso culto di Phogor, onde il popolo ebbe flagello?Are not these they, that deceiued the children of Israel at the suggestion of Balaam, and made you preuaricate against our Lord vpon the sinne of Phogor, whereupon also the people was stroken?nonne istæ sunt, quæ deceperunt filios Israël ad suggestionem Balaam, et prævaricari vos fecerunt in Domino super peccato Phogor, unde et percussus est populus ? 17Therefore kill all that are of the male sex, even of the children: and put to death the women, that have carnally known men.Or voi uccidete tutti i maschi anche di tenera età: e scannate le donne che han conosciuto uomo:Therfore kil al whatsoeuer is of the male sexe, among the litle ones also: and the wemen, that haue knowne men in carnal copulation, slea ye:ergo cunctos interficite quidquid est generis masculinis, etiam in parvulis: et mulieres, quæ noverunt viros in coitu, jugulate: 18But the girls, and all the women that are virgins save for yourselves:Ma serbatevi le fanciulline, e tutte le donne vergini:but the gyrles and al the wemen that are virgins reserue to you:puellas autem et omnes feminas virgines reservate vobis: 19And stay without the camp seven days. He that hath killed a man, or touched one that is killed, shall be purified the third day and the seventh day.E restate fuora degli alloggiamenti per sette giorni. Chi avrà ucciso un uomo, o toccato un ucciso, si purificherà il terzo, e il settimo giorno:and tarying without the campe seuen dayes. He that hath killed a man, or touched him that is killed, shal be expiated the third day and the seuenth.et manete extra castra septem diebus. Qui occiderit hominem, vel occisum tetigerit, lustrabitur die tertio et septimo.
20And of all the spoil, every garment, or vessel, or any thing made for use, of the skins, or hair of goats, or of wood, shall be purified.E tutta la preda, sieno vesti, sieno vasi, o mobili fatti di pelle, o di pelo di capra, ovvero di legno, si purificherà.And of al the praye, whether it be garment, or vessel, and some thing prepared for implementes, of goates skinnes, and heare, and wood shal be expiated.Et de omni præda, sive vestimentum fuerit, sive vas, et aliquid in utensilia præparatum, de caprarum pellibus, et pilis, et ligno, expiabitur. 21Eleazar also the priest spoke to the men of the army, that had fought, in this manner: This is the ordinance of the law, which the Lord hath commanded Moses:Anche il sommo sacerdote Eleazaro parlò così a' soldati, che erano stati alla battaglia: Questo è l'ordine dato dal Signore a Mosè:Eleazar also the priest spake to the hoste, that had fought, in this maner: This is the precept of the law, which our Lord hath commanded Moyses:Eleazar quoque sacerdos ad viros exercitus, qui pugnaverunt, sic locutus est: Hoc est præceptum legis, quod mandavit Dominus Moysi: 22Gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin,L'oro e l'argento, e il rame, e il ferro, e il piombo, e lo stagno,Gold, and siluer, and brasse, and yron, and leade, and tinne,aurum, et argentum, et æs, et ferrum, et plumbum, et stannum, 23And all that may pass through the fire, shall be purified by fire, but whatsoever cannot abide the fire, shall be sanctified with the water of expiation:E tutto quello che può reggere al fuoco, si purificherà col fuoco: quelle cose poi, che non possono soffrir il fuoco, si santificheranno coll'acqua di espiazione:and al that may passe through the fyre, shal be purged by fyre, but whatsoeuer can not abide the fire, shal be sanctified with the water of expiation:et omne, quod potest transire per flammas, igne purgabitur: quidquid autem ignem non potest sustinere, aqua expiationis sanctificabitur: 24And you shall wash your garments the seventh day, and being purified, you shall afterwards enter into the camp.E il settimo dì laverete le vostre vesti, e purificati entrerete poi negli alloggiamenti.and you shal wash your garmentes the seuenth day, and being purified, afterward you shal enter into the campe.et lavabitis vestimenta vestra die septimo, et purificati postea castra intrabitis. 25And the Lord said to Moses:Disse anche il Signore a Mosè:And our Lord said to Moyses:Dixit quoque Dominus ad Moysen: 26Take the sum of the things that were taken both of man and beast, thou and Eleazar the priest and the princes of the multitude:Fate il conto di tutto quello che è preda dagli uomini fino alle bestie, tu, ed Eleazaro sommo sacerdote, e i principi del popolo:Take the summe of those thinges, that were taken from man vnto beast, thou and Eleazar the priest and the princes of the multitude:Tollite summam eorum quæ capta sunt, ab homine usque ad pecus, tu et Eleazar sacerdos et principes vulgi:
27And thou shalt divide the spoil equally, between them that fought and went out to the war, and between the rest of the multitude.E dividerai in parti eguali il bottino tra coloro che hanno pugnato, e son iti alla guerra, e tra tutta l'altra moltitudine:and thou shalt diuide the praye equally betwene them, that fought & went forth to the warre, and betwen the rest of the multitude.dividesque ex æquo prædam inter eos qui pugnaverunt egressique sunt ad bellum, et inter omnem reliquam multitudinem. 28And thou shalt separate a portion to the Lord from them that fought and were in the battle, one soul of five hundred as well of persons as of oxen and asses and sheep.E della parte di quelli che pugnarono, e andarono alla guerra, ne separerai pel Signore ogni cinquecento capi uno tanto degli uomini, come de' buoi, pecore, ed asini,and thou shalt separate a portion to the Lord from them, that fought and were in the battle, one soule of fiue hundred as wel of mankind as of oxen and asses and sheepe,Et separabis partem Domino ab his qui pugnaverunt et fuerunt in bello, unam animam de quingentis, tam ex hominibus quam ex bobus et asinis et ovibus, 29And thou shalt give it to Eleazar the priest, because they are the firstfruits of the Lord.E la darai ad Eleazaro sommo sacerdote, perché queste son le primizie del Signore.and thou shalt geue it to Eleazar the priest, because they are the first fruites of the Lord.et dabis eam Eleazaro sacerdoti, quia primitiæ Domini sunt. 30Out of the moiety also of the children of Israel thou shalt take the fiftieth head of persons, and of oxen, and asses, and sheep, and of all beasts, and thou shalt give them to the Levites that watch in the charge of the tabernacle of the Lord.Dell'altra metà ancora, che è de' figliuoli d'Israele, prenderai ogni cinquanta capi, uno degli uomini, de' buoi, degli asini, delle pecore, e di tutti gli animali, e li darai a' Leviti, che vegliano al servigio del tabernacolo del Signore.Out of the halfe part also of the children of Israel thou shalt take the fiftith head of mankind, and of oxen, and asses, and sheepe, and of al beastes, and thou shalt geue them to the Leuites, that watch in the custodies of the tabernacle of the Lord.Ex media quoque parte filiorum Israël accipies quinquagesimum caput hominum, et boum, et asinorum, et ovium, cunctorum animantium, et dabis ea Levitis, qui excubant in custodiis tabernaculi Domini. 31And Moses and Eleazar did as the Lord had commanded.E Mosè ed Eleazaro fecero secondo il comando del Signore.And Moyses and Eleazar did, as our Lord commanded.Feceruntque Moyses et Eleazar sicut præceperat Dominus.
32And the spoil which the army had taken, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep,E la preda fatta dall'esercito fu secento settanta cinque mila pecore,And the praye which the hoste had taken, was of sheepe six hundred seuentie fiue thousand,Fuit autem præda, quam exercitus ceperat, ovium sexcenta septuaginta quinque millia, 33Seventy-two thousand oxen,Settanta due mila buoi,of oxen seuentie two thousand,boum septuaginta duo millia, 34Sixty-one thousand asses:Sessantun mila asini:of asses sixtie one thousand.asinorum sexaginta millia et mille: 35And thirty-two thousand persons of the female sex, that had not known men.Trenta due mila persone di sesso femminino, che eran vergini.The soules of the folkes of the female sexe, that had not knowne men, thirtie two thousand.animæ hominum sexus feminei, quæ non cognoverant viros, triginta duo millia. 36And one half was given to them that had been in the battle, to wit, three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep:E la metà fu data a quelli che erano stati alla battaglia, trecento trenta sette milacinquecento pecore:And the halfe part was geuen to them, that had bene in the battle, of sheepe three hundred thirtie seuen thousand fiue hundred:Dataque est media pars his qui in prælio fuerant, ovium trecenta triginta septem millia quingentæ: 37Out of which, for the portion of the Lord, were reckoned six hundred seventy five sheep.Delle quali si serbarono per la porzione del Signore secento sessanta cinque pecore.of the which for the portion of our Lord were reckened sheepe six hundred seuentie fiue.e quibus in partem Domini supputatæ sunt oves sexcentæ septuaginta quinque: 38And out of the thirty-six thousand oxen, seventy-two oxen:E de' trenta sei mila bovi si serbarono settanta due bovi:And of the thirtie six thousand oxen, oxen seuentie and two:et de bobus triginta sex millibus, boves septuaginta et duo: 39Out of the thirty thousand five hundred asses, sixty-one asses:De' trenta mila cinquecento asini, asini sessantuno:of the thirtie thousand fiue hundred asses, asses sixtie one:de asinis triginta millibus quingentis, asini sexaginta unus: 40Out of the sixteen thousand persons, there fell to the portion of the Lord, thirty-two souls.Delle sedici mila persone furono assegnate per la porzione del Signore trentadue persone.of the soules of mankind sixtene thousand, there fel to the portion of our Lord thirtie two soules.de animabus hominum sedecim millibus, cesserunt in partem Domini triginta duæ animæ. 41And Moses delivered the number of the firstfruits of the Lord to Eleazar the priest, as had been commanded him,E Mosè secondo l'ordine ricevuto diede ad Eleazaro sacerdote il suo numero delle primizie del Signore,And Moyses deliuered the number of the first fruites of our Lord to Eleazar the priest, as it had bene commanded him,Tradiditque Moyses numerum primitiarum Domini Eleazaro sacerdoti, sicut fuerat ei imperatum, 42Out of the half of the children of Israel, which he had separated for them that had been in the battle.Tolte da quella metà, che era stata assegnata a' figliuoli d'Israele, che erano stati alla guerra:of the halfe part of the children of Israel, which he had separated to them, that had bene in the battle.ex media parte filiorum Israël, quam separaverat his qui in prælio fuerant.
43But out of the half that fell to the rest of the multitude, that is to say, out of the three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep,E dall'altra metà, che era toccata al restante della moltitudine, vale a dire dalle trecentotrenta sette mila cinquecento pecore,But of the halfe part that had chanced to the rest of the multitude, that is to say, of the three hundred thirtie seuen thousand fiue hundred sheepe,De media vero parte, quæ contigerat reliquæ multitudini, id est, de ovibus trecentis triginta septem millibus quingentis, 44And out of the thirty-six thousand oxen,E da' trentasei mila buoi,and of the thirtie six thousand oxen,et de bobus triginta sex millibus, 45And out of the thirty thousand five hundred asses,E da' trenta mila cinquecento asini,and of the thirtie thousand fiue hundred asses,et de asinis triginta millibus quingentis, 46And out of the sixteen thousand persons,E da' sedici mila uomini,and of the sixtene thousand of mankind,et de hominibus sedecim millibus, 47Moses took the fiftieth head, and gave it to the Levites that watched in the tabernacle of the Lord, as the Lord had commanded.Tolse Mosè un capo per ogni cinquanta, e li diede a' Leviti, che vegliavano al servigio del tabernacolo del Signore, come avea ordinato il Signore.Moyses tooke the fiftith head, and gaue it to the Leuites, that watched in the tabernacle of our Lord, as our Lord had commanded.tulit Moyses quinquagesimum caput, et dedit Levitis, qui excubabant in tabernaculo Domini, sicut præceperat Dominus. 48And when the commanders of the army, and the tribunes and centurions were come to Moses, they said:E appressatisi a Mosè i capi dell'esercito, e i tribuni, e i centurioni, dissero:And when the princes of the hoste were come to Moyses, and the tribunes, and centurions, they said:Cumque accessissent principes exercitus ad Moysen, et tribuni, centurionesque, dixerunt: 49We thy servants have reckoned up the number of the fighting men, whom we had under our hand, and not so much as one was wanting.Noi servi tuoi abbiam contato il numero de' combattenti, che avevamo sotto di noi: e non ne manca neppur uno.We thy seruantes haue reckened the number of the warryers, which we had vnder our hand: and not so much as one verily was lacking.Nos servi tui recensuimus numerum pugnatorum, quos habuimus sub manu nostra: et ne unus quidem defuit. 50Therefore we offer as gifts to the Lord what gold every one of us could find in the booty, in garters and tablets, rings and bracelets, and chains, that thou mayst pray to the Lord for us.Per questa ragione noi offeriam ciascheduno in dono al Signore tutto l'oro, che abbiam potuto trovar nella preda, cintoli, e braccialetti, anelli, e orecchini, e vezzi, affinché tu preghi il Signore per noi.For this cause we offer in the donaties of our Lord euerie one that which we could finde in the praye of gold, garters and tablettes, ringes and braceletes, and cheynes, that thou maiest, pray to our Lord for vs.Ob hanc causam offerimus in donariis Domini singuli quod in præda auri potuimus invenire, periscelides et armillas, annulos et dextralia, ac murænulas, ut depreceris pro nobis Dominum.
51And Moses and Eleazar the priest received all the gold in divers kinds,E Mosè ed Eleazaro sacerdote riceverono tutto l'oro lavorato in diverse guise,And Moyses and Eleazar the priest receiued al the gold in diuerse formes,Susceperuntque Moyses et Eleazar sacerdos omne aurum in diversis speciebus, 52In weight sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty sicles, from the tribunes and from the centurions.Offerto da' tribuni, e da' centurioni in peso di sedici mila settecento cinquanta sicli;in weight sixtene thousand, seuen hundred fiftie sicles of the tribunes and of the centurions.pondo sedecim millia septingentos quinquaginta siclos, a tribunis et centurionibus. 53For that which every one had taken in the booty was his own.(Perocché quello che ciascuno nel saccomanno avea pigliato, era suo).For that which euerie one had spoiled in the praye, was his owne.Unusquisque enim quod in præda rapuerat, suum erat. 54And that which was received they brought into the tabernacle of the testimony, for a memorial of the children of Israel before the Lord.E lo presero, e lo portarono nel tabernacolo del testimonio per istarvi come monumento de' figliuoli d'Israele dinanzi al Signore.And that which was receiued they brought into the tabernacle of testimonie, for a monument of the children of Israel before our Lord.Et susceptum intulerunt in tabernaculum testimonii, in monimentum filiorum Israël coram Domino.
31:1
Year of the World 2553, Year before Christ 1451.
31:2
Haydock
Madianites. The five princes, (ver. 8,) had joined Sehon, in his attack upon the Hebrews, Josue 13:21. They had united with the Moabites against them, and had been most active in perverting the people of God. They had even the wicked Balaam still among them, who was bent upon destruction; so that God saw the measure of their crimes was full, their provocations unsufferable, and he was pleased to let Moses be witness of their just punishment. This he would effect with a very small force, ver. 5. (Haydock)
This war of religion was terminated about a month before the death of Moses.
31:6
Calmet
Trumpets. These are the holy vessels just specified, though some believe that he carried the ark, which was done in some wars, Josue 6:1., and 1 Kings 4:5. Priests always sounded the trumpet, Deuteronomy 20:2. Phinees was appointed general of this expedition to reward him for his zeal against the fornicators. (Calmet)
Salien
Or Josue headed the army, as he did on other occasions, though his name be not here specified. The tribe of Levi was not obliged to go to battle, and therefore only twelve tribes send each 1000. Josue had been elected general by God, so that it was not necessary to mention his name. (Salien)
31:8
Calmet
Recem; by which name Petra, the capital of Arabia Petrea, is known. This petty king probably took his title from this city, over which he presided. (Calmet)
Haydock
All the five had been, perhaps, tributary to Sehon, Josue 13:21. (Haydock)
Calmet
Sur, the wretched parent of Cozbi, chap. 25:15. (Calmet)
Haydock
Balaam. Some think he was a native of Madian, though he had resided in Mesopotamia. He had either stopped in this country, or hearing of the calamities of the Hebrews, had returned to receive the reward of his pernicious counsel. Thus he was overtaken by God's just judgment, and he fell into the pit which his avarice had dug for him, chap. 24:25. (Haydock)
Salien
Probably he was busy with his incantations; for this sort of men is generally cowardly. He had no sword, (Numbers 22:29.) (Salien)
31:9
Possessions. Literally, "all that they could, they plundered." It seems they did not advance very far into the country; or many saved themselves by flight; for we find the Madianites soon powerful enough to enslave the Hebrews, Judges 6:1.
31:10
Calmet
Castles. Hebrew tiroth, means also, "palaces, or shepherds' huts." (Calmet)
31:13
Calmet
Camp. They had sent news of their victory, and of the plunder which they were bringing to the camp, (Haydock) to be divided equally among their fellow soldiers, when they were met by Moses, etc., who came to congratulate with them, and to examine how they executed their commission, as well as to admonish them to be purified before they entered the camp, ver. 19. (Calmet)
31:15
Haydock
Women. They had received no positive orders respecting them, and it was customary to spare their lives. But these dissolute women had rendered themselves unworthy of such indulgence, (Calmet) and the sight of them raised the just indignation of Moses, who was afraid lest their manners should corrupt the victors. (Haydock)
31:16
Challoner
The sin of Phogor. The sin committed in the worship of Beelphegor. (Challoner)
Haydock
Many of the prostitutes had returned home, being terrified at the slaughter of their queen, Cozbi. (Haydock)
31:17
Challoner
Of children. Women and children, ordinarily speaking, were not to be killed in war, Deuteronomy 20:14. But the great lord of life and death was pleased to order it otherwise in the present case, in detestation of the wickedness of this people, who by the counsel of Balaam, had sent their women amongst the Israelites on purpose to draw them from God. (Challoner)
Forbes
Only those who were under twelve would be thus reserved; and as their tender minds might yet receive the impressions of virtue, by a proper education, they might, one day, be married by some of the Hebrews. The boys were all slain, either because they might be inclined to resent the injury done to their relations, or because they were all consecrated to Beelphegor; the first-born to be his priests, the rest to be victims, if necessary, to avert any evil. For "the heathens in cold blood," says Paine, "offered their children in sacrifice to Baalpeor." It was on this account, that the killing of all the first-born in Egypt, was felt so terribly, as the people could not lawfully approach their gods. (Forbes)
Haydock
Moses did not reserve the girls for the purpose of debauchery, as Paine ignorantly pretends; for that was contrary to his own laws, nor did he wantonly kill the innocent, which he also strictly forbade, and which he would have been still more afraid to do, if he had been an impostor. But he preserved the lives of those girls who might be presumed innocent, and who might live to do good, while he took the revenge of the Lord (ver. 3,) upon the rest. (Haydock)
31:19
Shall be. Hebrew, "purify yourselves and your captives on the," etc. The girls, and all the booty, might probably be rendered unclean by the presence of a corpse, etc., chap 19:14.
31:23
Calmet
Expiation, with which even the vessels which had been through the fire, were to be purified, or washed, as the Hebrew, Septuagint, etc., observe. (Calmet)
Moses perhaps gave this ordinance by word of mouth, on this occasion, (Menochius) though something similar be prescribed before, Leviticus 6:28., 11:33, and 15:12.
31:27
Calmet
Equally. Those who had been in battle, had about a 50th part more than the rest. They gave the first-fruits to the priests, while those in the camp presented theirs to the Levites. Other rules were afterwards observed. See 1 Kings 30:24., and 2 Machabees 8:28. The Rabbins assign the greatest share to the king, (Selden, Jur. 6:16,) and Homer gives the largest portion to the general; after which the rest was equally divided, and even the absent partook. The gods were not forgotten. So also among the Hebrews, Syrians, etc., the general make an equal division. David assigns a part of the booty for sacred uses, 1 Paralipomenon 26:26. See Exodus 15:9. (Calmet)
31:32
Calmet
Spoil. Hebrew, "the remains of the spoil," which had not been consumed by the 12,000. (Calmet)
31:41
Fruits. Hebrew, "a heave-offering to," etc., ver. 29.
31:49
Haydock
Wanting. Septuagint, "all were unanimous," (Origen,) and "all answered to their names." Thus God was pleased to shew, that his Providence had directed the battle. (Haydock)
31:50
Garters. Septuagint, "bracelets," put on the arm, 2 Kings 1:10. Sometimes the Eastern nations wore large precious rings on their legs.
Tablets. Hebrew tsamid, an ornament of the hand, Genesis 24:22. The armillae, or viriliae, were worn by men near the shoulder.
Bracelets, (dextralia) for the right hand, Ecclesiasticus 21:14. Hebrew hagil, means an ear-ring, Ezechiel 16:12.
Haydock
Chains of gold and silver interlaced, worn round the neck. (St. Jerome, ep. ad Marcel.) The Madianites went to battle in their richest attire, (Judges 6:21,) as did also the Persians; (Bellon. 2,) and the Turks do so still, (Calmet) being descended from Ismael, the half brother of Madian, who both settled in Arabia. (Haydock)
Calmet
His own. Gold, and such ornaments as might easily be concealed by the soldiers, where not required to be brought to the common stock to be equally divided. (Calmet)
Salien
There were 840,000 head of living creatures, including the 32,000 virgins, which were distributed. The gold, which was voluntarily presented to the Lord, amounted to above five talents. (Salien, B.C. 1470.)
Du Hamel
The princes made a voluntary offering of their gold, but the common soldiers retained what each man had gotten. (Du Hamel)
31:16
The sin of Phogor.... The sin committed in the worship of Beelphegor.
31:17
Of children.... Women and children, ordinarily speaking, were not to be killed in war, Deut. 20.14. But the great Lord of life and death was pleased to order it otherwise in the present case, in detestation of the wickedness of this people, who by the counsel of Balaam, had sent their women among the Israelites on purpose to draw them from God.
31:8
VVith whō he sinned, with them he was also iustly punished.
31:16
These wemen bringing imagies of Beelphogot, caused the Israelites to offer sacrifice to him, before they should committe fornication with them.
31:17
In more detestation of the parents sinne, God cō manded to kil these children & so they were preuented, from committing the like crimes. But ordinarily, wemen & children ought not to be slaine after the victorie. Deut. 20. v. 14.
31:3
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, XXV 1
“To inflict vengeance from the Lord on Midian.”
31:8
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, XXV 1
… For he who did not keep to the commandment of God, received the just recompense of his own evil devices.
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, XLV 1
“And Balaam the son of Beor they slew with the sword.”
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on First Corinthians 23
… For that this evil counsel was Balaam’s Moses sheweth after this, in the following statement at the end of the Book of Numbers. (
31:16
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, XXV 1
“To inflict vengeance from the Lord on Midian.” For this man (Balaam), when he speaks no longer in the Spirit of God, but contrary to God’s law, by setting up a different law with regard to fornication,
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch 14.9
… which accordingly happened. For when they had fallen into sin, they became an easy prey to all; and those whom weapons, and horses, and soldiers, and so many engines availed not to capture,
31:18
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 The Harmony of the Gospels 2.28
… That is the case, for instance, where it is written of Eve, “He made it into a woman;” and again, in the book of Numbers, where the women who have not known a man by lying with him, that is to say, the virgins, are ordered to be saved from being put to death.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 2.10
… You have a plain passage in Genesis, when Eve herself was first made, “He made her a woman.” Scripture also in another place saith, that God ordered “the women ” to be separated “which had not known man by lying with him.”
31:47
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Commentary on Galatians 6
Here he proceeds to discourse concerning Teachers, to the effect that they ought to be tended with great assiduity by their disciples. Now what is the reason that Christ so commanded? For this law, “that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel,” ( 1 Cor. ix. 14 .) is laid down in the New Testament; and likewise in the Old, (
31:2
2. "Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites" — because they provoked the Israelites, by prostituting their daughters to them, unto fornication and unto the idolatry of Beelphegor, and this with such mind and purpose, that afterwards, as those forsaken by God, they might invade and slay them, as I said at the beginning of chapter twenty-five.
31:3
3. WHO CAN SEEK THE VENGEANCE OF THE LORD AGAINST THE MIDIANITES. — This vengeance is called the Lord's, first, because it will be done by the Lord aiding you, and fighting before you, and overthrowing the Midianites: thus the Septuagint. Secondly, the vengeance of the Lord will be that by which you avenge the injury inflicted upon the people of the Lord, and consequently upon the Lord Himself, by the Midianites. Thus the Chaldean.
31:5
5 and 6. "Twelve thousand," etc., "he sent with Phinees" (because Phinees most vigorously prevented this crime and scandal of Beelphegor, by killing the Midianite woman, cap. xxv, vers. 7), "and also the holy vessels, and TRUMPETS (concerning which cap. x, 2) HE DELIVERED TO HIM FOR SOUNDING." — "The holy vessels" were the ark with the tablets of the law, the Cherubim and the mercy seat; for the Jews carried these with them when going to war, so that in this way they might carry with them, as it were, God sitting upon the mercy seat, who would scatter and trample the camps of the enemy by His presence. These therefore were delivered with the trumpets to Phinees the priest, that is, they were entrusted to his care. For Phinees set out for this war, not so much as a leader of the war, but as a priest to preside over the sacred rites. Let commanders in camps learn here to have worthy priests, who promote piety, restrain offenses against God and sins. Let soldiers also learn to revere sacred things and the sacred, and God: for God it is who gives victory. Today not rarely is it done otherwise; hence disasters and tears. Hear Peter of Blois, epistle 94: "Formerly," he says, "soldiers bound themselves by oath that they would stand for the state of the republic, that they would not flee in battle: but even today recruits receive their swords from the altar, so that they might profess themselves children of the Church. But the matter has turned to the contrary; for from the time they are today adorned with the military belt, they immediately rise up against the Christs of the Lord, and rage against the patrimony of Christ: they plunder and despoil the poor subjects of Christ, and miserably and mercilessly afflict the wretched, so that in the sufferings of others they might fulfill illicit appetites and extraordinary desires." He adds secondly: "Those who ought to have exerted their strength against the enemies of the cross, fight in drinking and drunkenness. They are idle, languish in gluttony, and spend a degenerate life in filthiness, dishonoring the name and office of soldiery. These praise plunder in peace, flight among arms, victories in wine, when they are lions in the praetorium, hares in battle." He adds thirdly: "The order of soldiers now is to keep no order; for he whose mouth is polluted with the filth of evil words, who swears more detestably, who fears God less, vilifies the ministers of God, who does not revere the Church: this man today is reckoned stronger and more renowned in the assembly of soldiers." These are helmeted hares, who are strong at stealing, drinking, fornication, driving off the cattle of friends; but in whom there is no strength in battle, nor honor in victory, nor shame in flight: an army more ready with tongue than with hand, plunderers of their companions, and themselves the prey of enemies. Allegorically, these vessels and the Cherubim are holy angels, who contend with pious and worthy men against demons and sins, and animate and aid them. The trumpets are the sermons and exhortations of divine preachers. Phinees is Christ, who is the leader and director of this war. Thus Cyril, lib. IV On Adoration. Again, the ark containing manna, that is, Christ, is the Blessed Virgin, who grants victory against men and demons. Theophanes, Anastasius and Cedrenus relate, and from them Baronius in the year of Christ 625, that the Emperor Heraclius overcame Chosroes king of the Persians by the aid of the Blessed Virgin, by which it came to pass that hail of marvelous size shattered the Persians. In the year of the Lord 886, the Emperor Basil overcame the Prince of the Saracens, who had mocked Christ and His mother, by invoking the Blessed Virgin in war, as Curopalatus relates, and from him Baronius. John Zemisca, Emperor of the Greeks, overcame the Bulgarians, Russians, etc., by the aid of the Blessed Virgin, who sent St. Theodore the martyr, who was seen mounted on a white horse in the front line fighting for the Romans, and breaking the strength of the enemy; wherefore Zemisca built a temple in his honor. Pelagius, prince of the Asturians, overcame the Goths with few men by the aid of the Blessed Virgin; for the weapons of the enemy were turned back upon themselves by divine force, so that Alchamah their leader with twenty thousand was slain. From this the Spanish began to recover the kingdom occupied by the Goths. There still stands a cave in which Pelagius hid with his men, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and called St. Mary of Covadunga: thus Tadensis, Rodericus, and from them Baronius, in the year of Christ 718. Narses the Great, a client and worshipper of the Blessed Virgin, under the Emperor Justinian obtained marvelous and celebrated victories against Totila and the Goths by the aid of the Virgin; for the Blessed Virgin was accustomed to appear to him, and to command when battle should be joined: wherefore he himself did not descend into battle unless he had learned from her the opportune time, as Procopius, Evagrius, and from them Baronius relate, in the year of Christ 568. Stephen, king of the Hungarians, about to go against the enemies, humbly implored the aid of the Blessed Virgin, saying: "If it please thee, O Lady of the world, that thy portion of the inheritance be devastated by enemies, and the tender plantation of Christianity be scattered, I beseech thee, do not suffer this to be imputed to my lack of confidence, but rather to the disposition of thy will. If the shepherd has committed any fault, let him bear it himself: the innocent sheep, I beseech thee, do not suffer to be afflicted." As Anthony Bonfinius relates, book I, On Hungarian Affairs, decade 2. Famous is the celebrated victory of John of Austria, which he himself obtained over the Turks by the aid of the Blessed Virgin: wherefore the faithful commemorate her memory every year, and call it the feast of St. Mary of Victory, which they celebrate at the beginning of October. It occurred in the year of the Lord 1571, in the Corinthian sea.
31:7
7. AND WHEN THEY HAD FOUGHT AGAINST THE MADIANITES, AND HAD CONQUERED THEM, THEY SLEW ALL THE MALES, — namely those who were in Midian: for it is evident that some, upon hearing the rumor of the impending war, fled from Midian to neighboring places, from the fact that they themselves restored the nation of Midian, which was afterward hostile to the Jews, especially in the time of Gideon. Thus Abulensis.
31:8
8. AND THEIR KINGS, EVI, AND REKEM, AND SUR, AND HUR, AND REBA, — these are five kings, that is, princes of Midian, of whom Sur was the father of the Midianite woman, whom Phinehas slew, chapter xxv, verse 18. AND BALAAM ALSO THE SON OF BEOR THEY SLEW WITH THE SWORD. — Hence it is evident that Balaam passed from Balak, king of Moab, into Midian, and there devised similar things against the Hebrews, as he had done in Moab: and therefore he was justly slain by the Hebrews in Midian along with the others.
31:13
31:16
16. WHICH MADE YOU TRANSGRESS AGAINST THE LORD, IN THE SIN OF PHOGOR. — "Phogor" is Beelphegor, as I said chapter xxv, verse 3.
31:17
17. THEREFORE SLAY ALL THAT IS OF THE MALE KIND, EVEN IN THE LITTLE ONES. — This was peculiar to this war, that the little ones by the command of God (who is lord of death and life of all) and of Moses were slain. This was done, first, on account of the enormity and abomination of the crime committed by the Midianites against the Hebrews; second, lest the little ones, when they had grown up, should avenge the death of their parents. Note: By human judge and authority, innocent little ones cannot be slain on account of the sin of their parents; they can, however, be slain by the right and authority of God, both because He himself, transcending all things, and consequently has dominion over the life of all; and because the little ones, and all men, on account of original sin, are subject to death: God therefore can inflict it upon them, either soon or late, either in this manner or in another, as He wills. Thus Abulensis in chapter xxiv of Deuteronomy, Question V.
17 and 18. AND THE WOMEN THAT HAVE KNOWN MEN BY LYING WITH THEM, KILL: BUT THE GIRLS, AND ALL THE WOMEN VIRGINS KEEP ALIVE FOR YOURSELVES. — Note: The Midianite women who had been known by men are commanded to be slain, because by such women the Hebrews had been deceived into fornication with them, and could again be deceived by them. Thus Theodore, Question XLIX. But virgins were immune from this crime: wherefore the Hebrews kept them alive, either so that they might sell them, or so that they might use them as servants. But virgins could be distinguished from the corrupted first, by inspection by matrons, especially midwives; which inspection is also received in the new law, as appears in the chapter Fraternitatis, extravagantes, On the Frigid. Second, by revelation of God, indicating and designating the corrupted to Moses. Abulensis adds three other modes, namely by the gagates gem: for whoever drinks it, if she is not a virgin, is forced to pass urine. Second, from inspection of urine: for this in virgins is clear and bright, in the corrupted turbid. Third, by inspection of the horoscope and constellations of the sky. But this third mode, although Abulensis does not disapprove it in this place, elsewhere nevertheless he refutes it; for it is superstitious: the two former modes are obscure and uncertain. Concerning gagates, however, the same thing is affirmed by Anselm Boetius, physician and gem-expert of the Emperor Rudolf II, book II, On Gems, chapter CLXV: "Virginity," he says, "is revealed not only by fumigation, but by drinking. For if a virgin drinks the powder, she will not urinate: if she is corrupted, she will not be able to retain the urine, by the testimony of many." The same thing is asserted by Camillus Leonardus of Pesaro, physician, treatise On Stones, in Gagates.
31:19
49. WHOSOEVER HATH KILLED A MAN, OR TOUCHED THE SLAIN, SHALL BE PURIFIED ON THE THIRD DAY, AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY: — according to the law concerning him who touches a corpse, enacted in Numbers, chapter xix, 14.
31:20
20. And of all the spoils, whether it be a garment, or a vessel, etc. IT SHALL BE PURIFIED, — namely by fire, if it can be done, that is, if a vessel or garment can bear fire: but if not, it shall be purified by the waters of lustration, made from the ashes of the red heifer, concerning which cap. xix, 2 and 12, and this on the third and seventh day, as is explained in the following verses. Note: This furniture of the Midianites had to be purified, because it was legally unclean, from contact with the dead, according to the law Num. xix, 14, and Lev. xi, 32, because namely some of these vessels and things were in the tents of the dying; many also of them had touched the dying themselves, such as the garments of the dead: but if anything in such a great quantity of spoils were such that neither of these applied to it, and therefore it was not unclean, yet on account of doubt, it had to be purified; for all things were presumed to be unclean, on account of so many slain with corpses scattered everywhere. Thus Abulensis.
31:21
31. "This is the precept of the law, which the Lord commanded to Moses." — We have not seen this precept written hitherto. Therefore God delivered it to Moses here, or elsewhere, by living voice. For God was accustomed to declare and commend all his commands to Moses, so that he himself might afterwards report the same to the priests and to the people. Thus Abulensis.
31:23
23. AND ALL THAT CAN PASS THROUGH THE FLAMES, SHALL BE PURIFIED BY FIRE. — The Hebrew, Chaldean and Septuagint add, and it shall be expiated by the water of lustration, as if besides fire, this vessel ought to have been sprinkled and washed with the ashen water of the red heifer.
31:27
27. AND THOU SHALT DIVIDE THE SPOILS EQUALLY BETWEEN THEM THAT FOUGHT, etc., AND BETWEEN ALL THE REST OF THE MULTITUDE. — Note: Neither Moses, nor Phinees the leader of the war, usurp a greater part of the spoils for themselves, but it is divided entirely among the soldiers: "For it is fitting that leaders carry away glory, soldiers money from victory," says Cato. Whence Scipio, when, having taken Carthage and other cities, he enriched the soldiers more than any commander, dying from so many victories and riches, left nothing but thirty-three pounds of silver and two of gold, says Plutarch. Note secondly, that he says, "thou shalt divide equally," is to be understood, not so that those who remained in the camps and were far from the hazard and danger of war should receive as much as the soldiers who by their danger and labor procured the victory: but so that all who remained in the camps, taken together, should have as much as those few who fought, so namely that one half of the spoils should fall to the soldiers who fought; the other half should fall to the rest who remained in the camps. Wherefore from this half, each one remaining in the camps, since they were in the greatest number, received far less than the soldiers who fought received from their half: for these were far fewer in number, and therefore far more from their half of the spoils, individually participated. Moreover, from both halves, certain things were offered to the Lord, that is to the priests and Levites, as follows. You will say: The law of war is that the lot should be equal for him going to war and remaining with the baggage, as it is said I Reg. XXX, 24. I answer: This law was sanctioned later by David, as is said there. Secondly, this law has no place here; for it is understood of those and in that case in which both equally undergo the hazard and danger of war, as when for example one part stronger and more numerous goes to battle, the other weaker and of smaller (as is usual) number guards the baggage. Then indeed both this and that undergo danger, and the enemy's assault must be expected and sustained. But here only the few who went to battle underwent danger. For all the rest remaining in the camps, since they were in the greatest number, did not fear the enemy so small, and consequently underwent no danger. Thus Abulensis.
31:28
28. THOU SHALT SEPARATE A PORTION FOR THE LORD. — God commands here, first, that the soldiers from their half of the spoils give to themselves, that is, to Eleazar and the priests, one soul, that is, one animal out of five hundred, both from the men and from the oxen, asses and sheep. Whence from this part, from this spoil there fell to the priests sheep 675, oxen 72, asses 61, virgins 32, as appears verse 37. Secondly, that the Israelites who remained in the camps, from their half, give one animal out of fifty to the Levites.
31:29
29. "Thou shalt give it to Eleazar" — so namely that he may distribute from it a portion to Ithamar and the other lesser priests. For they ought to be no less than the Levites sharers in the spoils; but the rest he shall keep for himself as the high priest. We see something similar cap. XVIII, verse 28. FIRST-FRUITS, — that is an offering; for in Hebrew it is theruma.
31:49
49 and 50. "Not even one was lacking" (fell in battle): FOR THIS REASON WE OFFER IN THE GIFTS OF THE LORD INDIVIDUALLY, BECAUSE IN THE SPOILS OF GOLD WE WERE ABLE TO FIND. — Behold here each one offers all the gold and golden vessels which they had seized to God. The reason follows. 50. THAT THOU MAYEST PRAY. — This was a secondary and accessory cause of the offering of gold; for the primary cause was indeed that they might show themselves to be grateful to God, who had given them this victory entirely without bloodshed. Thus every nation received victory as coming from God, and therefore dedicated the spoils of enemies, or arms to their gods. Aristomenes in that battle which he waged successfully against the Lacedaemonians, and having obtained victory when he came to Delphi, found the shield which he had lost in battle there, and again dedicated it in the same temple. Pausanias writes that he saw this shield in the Messenian accounts. Leocritus the Athenian, when he had first attacked the town of Piraeus with his men, and at the same time had taken it by storm, dedicated his shield to Jupiter the Liberator with solemn rite, with an inscription of his name and glorious deed. Thus Pausanias, book I. The Philistines hung the arms of King Saul, whom they had slain, in the temple of Astaroth, I Kings xxxi, 10. The standards which the Brescians brought back from the conquered Cremonese, are read to be hung in their cathedral church for perpetual memory of the thing, in the Bergomensian, book XII. The English hung the gilded spurs of the French slain in the battle of Courtrai in the temple at Courtrai. Thus Aemilianus, book IX. Emperor Phocas, having captured the cities of Tarsus and Mopsuestia from the Saracens, returned to Constantinople and brought their gates with him, and giving them to God as it were the firstfruits of his expedition, dedicated them to the temple of St. Sophia. Cardinal John Colonna, legate of the Christian army and of a great fleet by Pope Honorius, conquered Heliopolis, a very strong city in Egypt, and as victor from a doubtful battle brought a sacred trophy to Rome, namely the column at which Christ was bound and beaten with scourges, which he erected in the temple of St. Praxedes to God, as spoils more precious than all price. Thus P. Jovius in the Procession of the Column. David dedicated the sword of Goliath, with which he cut off his very head, to God, and hung it in the tabernacle of God, I Kings xxi, 9. Finally, Emperor Titus, admiring the fortifications of Jerusalem, and seeing that they had been overcome by him, said: "Truly we fought with God helping us," says Josephus, book VII of the War, chapter xvi; and indeed he refused to be crowned, saying that God owed the crown of this victory. Hear Philostratus, book VI On the Life of Apollonius: "The neighboring peoples wished to crown him on account of the victory; but he replied that he was unworthy of such honor: for he had not been the author of such deeds, but had lent his hands to God showing anger against the Jews."
31:51
51. ALL GOLD IN DIFFERENT SPECIES, — that is, all gold melted into different species of vessels. Thus the Hebrew, Chaldean, and Septuagint.
31:52
52. "Sixteen thousand in weight." — The word pondo is not in the Hebrew: from which it is clear that pondo here does not signify a pound, but weight, namely of shekels, that is to say, From the spoils offered there were in gold to the weight of sixteen thousand shekels, and 750 shekels, that is in all gold pounds 697, and 22 shekels. Thus the Hebrew.
31:53
53. "For each one what he had seized in the spoils was his own." — Understand this of gold and similar things which could be seized and hidden; for other larger things, such as men and cattle, were collected in common and divided equally, as was said in verse 25.
31:54
54. THEY BROUGHT INTO THE TABERNACLE BEFORE THE LORD, — namely before the ark, the Cherubim and the mercy seat.
Twelve Causes of Just War according to Lyran Lyran here in this chapter enumerates twelve causes on account of which we read in Scripture that war was justly waged. The first is, if war is waged against a land in which God is blasphemed through idolatry, as is found in Deuteronomy XII, 2: "Destroy all the places in which the nations, whom you shall possess, worshipped their gods." The second, if there is a falling away from the worship of God, Deuteronomy XIII, 12: "If thou hear that in one of thy cities," etc. The third, if temporal fidelity to the Lord is abandoned, as is evident in IV Kings III, concerning Joram and Josaphat, who waged war against the king of Moab. The fourth, if rebellion is stirred up; thus David in II Kings xx pursued Sheba the son of Bochri. The fifth, if a malefactor is defended, as is evident in Judges xx, concerning the war waged against Gabaa. The sixth, if a public injury is inflicted upon the prince, as is evident in II Kings x, concerning the war of David against the king of the Ammonites, who had the beards of David's messengers shaved in contempt of him. The seventh, if one's own property is recovered, as is evident in II Kings III, concerning the war of David against Ishbosheth, to recover the kingdom which had been given to him by God. The eighth, that the enemy may be repelled, as is evident in II Kings viii, concerning the war of David against the Philistines. The ninth, that an enemy rising up may be attacked in his own territory, as is evident in Numbers xxi, concerning the war of the children of Israel against Sehon and against Og, kings of the Amorites. The tenth, against him through whom the enemy is strengthened, as is evident in II Kings viii, concerning the war of David against Syria of Damascus, because it was bringing aid to Adarezer. The eleventh, that a friend may be snatched from enemies, as is evident in Genesis xiv, concerning the war of Abraham against the kings who had taken captive Lot his nephew. The twelfth, if tyranny is exercised by the ruler, as is evident in the first book of the Maccabees, concerning the war of the Maccabees against Antiochus the illustrious. Thus far Lyran.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
31:1
… B. himself was swept away in their ruin (Num. 25:16, 17; 31:1-16). He had therefore lingered in Midianite territory on the return journey, since the events of Num. 31 follow at a short distance those of Num. 22-25 (chapters 26-30, besides the account …
31:2
The Midianites (v.) mentioned in the story of Moses (Ex. 2:15 ff., etc.), in the exodus from Egypt (Num. 25:14-18; 31:2), and finally in the account of Gideon's victory (Judg. 6-8), were northern Arabs. …
31:6
… inspired by this example to undertake the war against Antiochus Epiphanes (1 Macc. 2:26-54). In the struggle against the Midianites, Moses sent a thousand men per tribe and with them P., "who took with him the sacred vessels and the sounding trumpets" (Num. 31:6). He was invited, along with ten elders, to settle a religious question with the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the eastern half of Manasseh, who had erected an altar near the Jordan (Josh. …
31:12
… ha-'arābhāh, "sea of the A." (Deut. 3:17; 4:49; Josh. 3:16; 12:3; 2 Kings 14:25; Vulgate: "mare solitudinis"), 'arbhāth Jērīhā (Vulgate: "campestria urbis Iericho"; Josh. 4:13; 5:10) and 'arbhāth Mō'āh (Vulg.: "campestria Moab"; Num. 22:1; 26:3, 63; 31:12; 33:48 f.).
31:16
… The one who had instigated these women to make Israel fall into disfavor with Yahweh was none other than B. (Num. 31:16); and it does not appear that he had abandoned idolatry; indeed, it was not by his own will that he had blessed the chosen people!
31:17
… The Virgin reveals her vow or purpose (v. VIRGINITY OF M.) not to have conjugal relations with Joseph (the "knowledge of man" is a very well-known biblical euphemism: Gen. 19:8; Num. 31:17; Judt. 11:39) and asks, practically, for further explanations about the circumstances that accompany the prodigy in which she believes; those circumstances that must suggest to her, …
31:20
… It contains the treatises: a) Kēlim "vessels" (of the most varied kinds): their Levitical impurity (Lev. 6, 20 f.; 11, 32 f.; Num. 19, 14 f.; 31, 20 f.); the 10 degrees of impurity that start from man and the 10 degrees of holiness that go from the Holy Land to the sanctum sanctorum of the Temple (30 chapters). b) 'Chidāth "tents": …
31:21
… Once a law is explicitly given as promulgated by the high priest Eleazar, who succeeded Aaron after his death, who however presents it as "the law that Yahweh prescribed to Moses" (Num. 31:21-24).
31:30
Levites (Heb. Lēwī, pl. Lēwījīm; Gr. Lēwījī, pl. -ai)
of war (Num. 31:30) and with the tithes (ibid. 18:21-24; cf. Lev. 27:30). In Deut. 12:19; 14:27, etc. the people are exhorted not to let them lack what is necessary. …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.