Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 31:53
([For] the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
This verse seems to imply that the soldiers, as distinct from the officers (compare Num 31:49), did not make any offering from their plunder. Of course besides the gold there would be much spoil of less precious materials; see Num 31:20, Num 31:22.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself. And which he kept for himself, and did not deliver in with the prey or booty, which was brought to Moses and Eleazar, the sum of which was taken by them; and this seems to confirm what has been hinted, that, as each soldier had taken spoil for himself, so everyone contributed his quota towards this freewill offering to the Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
53. The men of war The common soldiers seem not to have contributed to this memorial offering. Possibly all the golden booty was a perquisite of the officers, and the privates took the less valuable spoil.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 31:53. (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself) But the men of war had every one their own booty. Houbigant; or, had reserved the spoil, every man for himself: see on Num 31:26.
REFLECTIONS.The piety of the officers of Israel appears here as great as their prowess. On calling their muster-roll, not a man was lost, either by disease or the sword, in this expedition. An instance of Divine protection so amazing could not but affect them: and as they loved their soldiers as brethren, and were tender of their lives, (as every good general should be,) they make the most grateful acknowledgments to God for his preservation of them. Note; 1. Great deliverances deserve particular thankfulness. (2.) Where God gives plenty, we must abound in works of piety and charity.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Num 31:53 ([For] the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
Ver. 53. For the men of war had taken spoil. ] And kept what they caught to themselves. The Turks, when they had taken Constantinople, wondered at the wealth thereof – which the citizens would not be drawn to part with for their own preservation – and were so enriched therewith, that it is a proverb amongst them at this day, if any grow suddenly rich, to say, “He hath been at the sacking of Constantinople.” a
a Turk. Hist., 347.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 20:14
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
31:53
([For] the men of war had taken spoil, every man for {r} himself.)
(r) And gave no portion to their captains.