Numbers 31:47 From the Israelites' half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.

◄ Numbers 31:47 ►

New International Version
From the Israelites’ half, Moses selected one out of every fifty people and animals, as the LORD commanded him, and gave them to the Levites, who were responsible for the care of the LORD’s tabernacle.

New Living Translation
From the half-share given to the people, Moses took one of every fifty prisoners and animals and gave them to the Levites, who maintained the LORD’s Tabernacle. All this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

English Standard Version
from the people of Israel’s half Moses took one of every 50, both of persons and of beasts, and gave them to the Levites who kept guard over the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Berean Standard Bible
From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.

King James Bible
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

New King James Version
and from the children of Israel’s half Moses took one of every fifty, drawn from man and beast, and gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

New American Standard Bible
from the sons of Israel’s half Moses took one drawn from every fifty, both of people and of animals, and gave them to the Levites, who performed the duty of the tabernacle of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NASB 1995
and from the sons of Israel’s half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animals, and gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NASB 1977
and from the sons of Israel’s half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animals, and gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Legacy Standard Bible
and from the sons of Israel’s half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animals, and gave them to the Levites, who kept the responsibility of the tabernacle of Yahweh, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

Amplified Bible
and from the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty, both of persons and animals, and gave them to the Levites, who were in charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Christian Standard Bible
Moses took one out of every fifty, selected from the people and the livestock of the Israelites’ half. He gave them to the Levites who perform the duties of the LORD’s tabernacle, as the LORD had commanded him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Moses took one out of every 50, selected from the people and the livestock of the Israelites’ half. He gave them to the Levites who perform the duties of the LORD’s tabernacle, as the LORD had commanded him.

American Standard Version
even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, that kept the charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

English Revised Version
even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
From the Israelites' half Moses collected one out of every 50 things, including people and animals, as the LORD commanded him. Then he gave all this to the Levites who were in charge of the work done at the LORD's tent.

Good News Translation
From this share Moses took one out of every fifty prisoners and animals, and as the LORD had commanded, gave them to the Levites who were in charge of the LORD's Tent.

International Standard Version
Moses took a portion drawn from every 50 Israelis, including from both human and animals, and gave them to the descendants of Levi who maintained the LORD's tent, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Majority Standard Bible
From the Israelites? half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.

NET Bible
From the Israelites' share Moses took one of every fifty people and animals and gave them to the Levites who were responsible for the care of the Lord's tabernacle, just as the LORD commanded Moses.

New Heart English Bible
even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animal, and gave them to the Levites, who performed the duty of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Webster's Bible Translation
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them to the Levites, who kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

World English Bible
even of the children of Israel’s half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animal, and gave them to the Levites, who performed the duty of Yahweh’s tabernacle, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Moses takes from the sons of Israel’s half one possession from the fifty, of man and of beast, and gives them to the Levites keeping the charge of the Dwelling Place of YHWH, as YHWH has commanded Moses.

Young's Literal Translation
Moses taketh from the sons of Israel's half the one possession from the fifty, of man and of beast, and giveth them to the Levites keeping the charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

Smith's Literal Translation
Moses will take from the sons of Israel's half, one taking from fifty, from man and from cattle, and he will give them to the Levites watching the watches of the tent of Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Moses took the fiftieth head, and gave it to the Levites that watched in the tabernacle of the Lord, as the Lord had commanded.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moses took the fiftieth head, and gave it to the Levites who stand watch at the tabernacle of the Lord, just as the Lord had instructed.

New American Bible
From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one captive from every fifty, from human being and beast alike, and gave them to the Levites, who performed the duties of the LORD’s tabernacle, exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses.

New Revised Standard Version
From the Israelites’ half Moses took one of every fifty, both of persons and of animals, and gave them to the Levites who had charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of every fifty, both of man and of beasts, and gave them to the Levites, who have charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe took from the half of the children Israel, one of fifty of the children of men, and from beasts, and he gave them to the Levites who keep guard of the Tabernacle of LORD JEHOVAH, as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, that kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses took of the half belonging to the children of Israel the fiftieth part, of men and of cattle, and he gave them to the Levites who keep the charges of the tabernacle of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Division of the Spoils
…46and 16,000 people. 47 From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Joshua 22:8
saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.”

1 Samuel 30:24-25
Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.” / And so it has been from that day forward. David established this statute and ordinance for Israel to this very day.

Deuteronomy 20:14
But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you.

1 Chronicles 26:27-28
They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD. / Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers.

2 Chronicles 31:4-6
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. / As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. / And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.

Nehemiah 10:37-39
Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. / A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. / For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”

Leviticus 27:30-33
Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. / If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. / Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. ...

Exodus 30:13-16
Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. / Everyone twenty years of age or older who crosses over must give this offering to the LORD. / In making the offering to the LORD to atone for your lives, the rich shall not give more than a half shekel, nor shall the poor give less. ...

2 Kings 12:4-5
Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. / Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.”

2 Chronicles 24:9-11
And a proclamation was issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they were to bring to the LORD the tax imposed by Moses the servant of God on Israel in the wilderness. / All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest until it was full. / Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king’s overseers and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal scribe and the officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this daily and gathered the money in abundance.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Romans 15:27
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.

1 Timothy 5:17-18
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. / For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Galatians 6:6
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

Treasury of Scripture

Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them to the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

the Levites

Numbers 18:21-25
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation…

Deuteronomy 12:17-19
Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: …

Luke 10:1-8
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come…

kept the charge

Numbers 31:30
And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.

Psalm 134:1
A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 56:10,11
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber…

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Numbers 31

1. The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain
13. Moses is angry with the officers, for saving the women alive
19. How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified
25. The proportion in which the prey is to be divided
48. The voluntary offering unto the treasure of the Lord

Berean Study Bible

From this half
This phrase refers to the division of the spoils of war taken from the Midianites. The Israelites were instructed to divide the plunder into two equal parts, one for the warriors who fought in the battle and the other for the rest of the community. This division underscores the principle of fairness and communal sharing, reflecting God's justice and provision for all His people. The Hebrew root here emphasizes the concept of equitable distribution, ensuring that both those who fought and those who stayed behind were blessed by God's provision.

Moses took
Moses, as the leader appointed by God, acted in obedience to God's command. His role was not only as a leader but as a mediator between God and the people. The act of taking signifies Moses' responsibility to ensure that God's instructions were followed precisely. This highlights the importance of leadership that is faithful to God's directives, serving as a model for spiritual leaders today.

one out of every fifty
This specific ratio indicates a systematic and organized approach to the distribution of resources. The number fifty in biblical terms often symbolizes completeness or fullness, suggesting that the portion given to the Levites was both significant and sufficient. This allocation reflects God's provision for those who serve Him, ensuring that the Levites, who had no inheritance of land, were supported by the community they served.

men and animals
The inclusion of both men and animals in the distribution underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision. It highlights the importance of sustaining both the people and the means of their livelihood. In the ancient Near Eastern context, animals were vital for agriculture, transportation, and daily life, making them a crucial part of the community's wealth and stability.

and gave them to the Levites
The Levites were set apart for the service of the tabernacle, and their sustenance was provided through the offerings and tithes of the people. This act of giving illustrates the principle of supporting those who are dedicated to spiritual service. It serves as a reminder of the community's responsibility to care for those who minister on their behalf, ensuring that they can focus on their sacred duties without concern for their material needs.

who were responsible for the care of the LORD’s tabernacle
The Levites' role was to maintain and transport the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This responsibility was both a privilege and a duty, requiring dedication and reverence. The tabernacle was central to Israel's worship and identity, symbolizing God's covenant and His desire to dwell with His people. The Levites' service was essential for the spiritual well-being of the nation.

just as the LORD had commanded Moses
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the instructions given to Moses. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, which are given for the good of His people. Moses' compliance with God's directive serves as a model of faithful leadership, demonstrating the blessings that come from following God's will. It reminds believers of the importance of adhering to God's Word in all aspects of life.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

From the Israelites’
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

half,
מִמַּחֲצִ֣ת (mim·ma·ḥă·ṣiṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4276: A halving, the middle

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֜ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

took
הָֽאָחֻז֙ (hā·’ā·ḥuz)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

one
אֶחָ֣ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

out of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

every fifty
הַחֲמִשִּׁ֔ים (ha·ḥă·miš·šîm)
Article | Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

persons
הָאָדָ֖ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and animals
הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה (hab·bə·hê·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

and gave
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them
אֹתָ֜ם (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

to the Levites
לַלְוִיִּ֗ם (lal·wî·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

who kept
שֹֽׁמְרֵי֙ (šō·mə·rê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

charge
מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙ (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

of the tabernacle
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן (miš·kan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had commanded
צִוָּ֥ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

him.
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

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OT Law: Numbers 31:47 Even of the children of Israel's half (Nu Num.)