WAR AGAINST MIDIAN This chapter contains an account of the fulfilment of the decree of extermination passed upon the Midianites as being the occasion of Israel's apostasy in the plains of Moab: see on Numbers 25:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOLY INSTRUMENTS AND THE TRUMPETS] On the use of the silver trumpets in time of war see on Numbers 10:9. It is not clear whether the ark was taken into battle on this occasion. It is possible to translate 'the holy instruments, even the trumpets.' On other occasions, however, the ark accompanied... [ Continue Reading ]
KINGS OF MIDIAN] from Joshua 13:21 we learn that these were princes or chiefs, and that they were tributary to Sihon, king of the Amorites. Balaam by remaining among the Midianites shared their fate. But see on Numbers 25:1. 13-18. The male children are put to death in order that the race of idolate... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAVE OFFERING] see on Leviticus 7:28; Numbers 8 n.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REST OF THE PREY] RV 'over and above the booty': see Numbers 31:50. 48-54. The officers make a voluntary offering as a thanksgiving for victory.... [ Continue Reading ]
TABLETS] RV 'armlets or necklaces': cp. Exodus 35:22. MAKE AN ATONEMENT] cp. Exodus 30:11.... [ Continue Reading ]