Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 31:50
We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.
50. jewels of gold ] Golden ornaments were taken from the Midianites when Gideon won his victory (Jdg 8:24-26). They were worn by roving nomads and traders, such as the Midianites were (cf. Gen 37:28), more than by the members of settled communities. This seems to be the meaning of the parenthesis in Jdg 8:24, where ‘Ishmaelites’ is apparently a general term for nomads.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The chains were armlets 2Sa 1:10. The rings were finger-rings, or seal-rings; and the tablets were worn suspended from the neck Exo 35:22.
To make an atonement for our souls before the Lord – Compare Exo 30:11-16. The atonement was not for any special offence committed (which would have called for a sacrifice of blood-shedding), but rather like the half-shekel given at the census in the Book of Exodus (loc. cite), was an acknowledgment of having received undeserved mercies. These, if unacknowledged, would have entailed guilt on the soul.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 50. We have – brought an oblation for the Lord] So it appears there was a great deal of booty taken which did not come into the general account; and of this the soldiers, of their own will, made a very extensive offering to God, because he had preserved them from falling in battle. That not one man should have been slain is a most extraordinary circumstance, and powerfully marks the peculiar superintendence of God’s especial providence. The Midianites must certainly have made some resistance; but that was ineffectual, because it was against the Lord. When any nation undertakes a crusade against those whom they are pleased to call the Lord’s enemies, let them bring from the contest this proof of their Divine mission, viz., that not one man of them is either lost or missing; and then, and not till then, shall we believe that God hath sent them.
To make an atonement for our souls] That is, to make an acknowledgment to God for the preservation of their lives. The gold offered on this occasion amounted to 16,750 shekels, equal to 37,869, 16s. 5d. of our money. See Clarke on Ex 25:39, where the true value of the shekel is given, and a rule laid down to reduce it to English money.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For their error, noted, Num 31:14-16, and withal
for a memorial, as it is said Num 31:54, or by way of gratitude for such a stupendous assistance and deliverance, as appears from the word therefore in the beginning of this verse, and from Num 31:49.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
We have therefore brought an oblation to the Lord,…. A freewill offering, out of the spoil, over and above the tribute levied out of the half that came unto them;
what every man hath gotten: or “found” f, in the houses, and upon the bodies of the slain, or of such that were taken captives:
of jewels of gold either such as were set in gold; or rather, as the words may be rendered,
vessels of gold g, as dishes, cups, spoons, and the like:
chains; which were wore about the neck, or upon the arm, as Aben Ezra:
and bracelets; for the hand, as the same writer, see Ge 24:22,
rings; for the finger:
ear rings; for the ear, as we render it, the word signifies something round:
and tablets; which, according to the Targum of Jonathan, were ornaments that hung down between the breasts:
to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord; not only this offering was brought as a token of gratitude and thankfulness, for sparing of everyone of their lives, and giving them such success and victory, and so large a spoil of the enemy; but also to expiate any sins they had been guilty of in going out, and coming in, and particularly for sparing the women they should have put to death, for which Moses was wroth with them, Nu 31:14.
f “invenit”, Pagninus, Montanus. g “vas auri”, Montanus; “vasa aurea”, Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
50. An oblation for the Lord A practical expression of gratitude shown by every man for his miraculous preservation.
Jewels Modern scholarship thus revises this list: ankle chains, (R.V.,) or arm rings, (2Sa 1:10,) bands or bracelets, signet rings, hoops, (Eze 16:12,) earrings, and gold buckles or balls, Or, R.V., armlets, (margin,) necklaces.
An atonement for our souls Knobel, in his attempt to find some sin to be expiated, fixes upon Israel’s failure to destroy all the Midianites, but Keil and Baumgarten think that the feeling of the soldiers that they were unworthy of any such grace as had been shown them in exemption from death in war justifies this strong expression, “for the expiation of their souls.” Hence the oblation constructively “covers” the guilt incurred by unacknowledged mercies by preventing its imputation. In the same manner the half shekel was an atonement. Exo 30:15. Sin actually incurred was usually expiated by blood, (Leviticus iv and Num 17:11, notes,) but sometimes by intercession (Exo 32:30) or its symbol, the burning of holy incense, (Num 16:46, note,) and once by extraordinary zeal in punishing crime. Num 25:8; Num 25:13.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
oblation. This was voluntary. The levy in Num 31:25, &c, was commanded. See Lev 2:4.
jewels = instruments or vessels.
atonement. See note on Exo 29:33.
souls. Hebrew, plural of nephesh. App-13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
atonement
(See Scofield “Exo 29:33”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
therefore brought: The officers of the army having mustered their men, found they had not lost a man in the contest with Midian! Penetrated with gratitude for this most remarkable interposition of Providence in their favour, they now offer to Jehovah the golden jewels which they had found among the spoil, to the amount of 16,750 shekels, equal to,869, 16s. 5d. of our money.
an oblation: Psa 107:15, Psa 107:21, Psa 107:22, Psa 116:12, Psa 116:17
gotten: Heb. found
an atonement: Exo 30:12, Exo 30:15, Exo 30:16, Lev 17:11
Reciprocal: Exo 35:22 – bracelets 2Ch 15:11 – offered Pro 3:9 – General Son 1:10 – thy neck Isa 3:19 – the bracelets Eze 16:11 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 31:50. We have brought an oblation Finding, to their great joy and surprise, that not a single man was missing of the whole twelve thousand, they unanimously resolved, out of the free plunder, to make a voluntary offering to God, for the service of religion. To make an atonement For their error, noted Num 31:14-16; and withal for memorial, or by way of gratitude for such a stupendous assistance and deliverance. We should never take any thing to ourselves, in war or trade, of which we cannot in faith consecrate a part to God, who hates robbery for burnt-offerings. But when God has remarkably preserved and succeeded us, he expects we should make some particular return of gratitude to him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
31:50 {q} We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.
(q) The captains by the free offering acknowledge the great benefit of God in preserving his people.