And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD’s tribute was thirty and two persons.
There were sixteen thousand people, and the LORD's portion was thirty-two people.
This verse records that out of 16,000 captives taken in war, 32 people were set aside as the LORD's tribute.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Numbers, this verse is part of the narrative describing the aftermath of Israel's war against the Midianites, which God commanded as punishment for Midian's role in leading Israel into idolatry. After the battle, the Israelites divided the spoils, including captives, and allocated a portion as tribute to the Lord, reflecting the ancient practice of offering a share of war gains to their deity. This highlights the cultural norms of warfare in the ancient Near East, where conquered people were often treated as property and dedicated to religious purposes.
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