And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:
Take a tax for the Lord from the soldiers who went out to fight: one out of every five hundred, whether people, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.
God is instructing that a portion of the war spoils - one out of every 500 captives and animals - should be set aside as an offering to Him.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Numbers, the Israelites, under Moses' leadership, were commanded by God to wage war against the Midianites as a form of judgment for their role in leading Israel into idolatry. After their victory, they captured people and livestock as spoils of war, which included persons, cattle, donkeys, and sheep. God instructed them to set aside a tribute from these spoils, specifically one out of every five hundred, to be dedicated to the Lord as an act of obedience and recognition of His role in their success.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.