Numbers 31:28

levy a tribute lit. -lift off a fixed proportion." The verb has the technical sense which is more often found in the corresponding subst. terûmâh(Numbers 31:29); see on Numbers 31:9.

one soul out of (every) five hundred The word nephesh(-soul") denotes the life or animating principle of every living creature, man or beast, and here stands for an -individual" person or a -head" of cattle.

the beeves an archaic plural of -beef," used for the live animals; cf. Shakespeare, Merch. of Venice, 1. iii. 68, -flesh of muttons, beefs or goats." The word occurs in R.V. and A.V. five times in this chapter, and in Leviticus 22:19; Leviticus 22:21 (R.V. in the latter verse -herd").