Numbers 16:25

16:25 Then Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel went after him.

Numbers 30:15

30:15 But if he should nullify them after he has heard them, then he will bear her iniquity.”

Numbers 31:2

31:2 “Exact vengeance for the Israelites on the Midianites – after that you will be gathered to your people.”

Numbers 32:42

32:42 Then Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages and called it Nobah after his own name.


tn Heb “rose up.”

sn In other words, he will pay the penalty for making her break her vows if he makes her stop what she vowed. It will not be her responsibility.

tn The imperative is followed by its cognate accusative to stress this vengeance. The Midianites had attempted to destroy Israel with their corrupt pagan practices, and now will be judged. The accounts indicate that the effort by Midian was calculated and evil.

sn The war was commanded by the Lord and was to be divine vengeance on the Midianites. So it was holy war. No Israelites then could take spoils in this – it was not a time for plunder and aggrandizement. It was part of the judgment of God upon those who would destroy or pervert his plan and his people.

sn This would be the last major enterprise that Moses would have to undertake. He would soon die and “be gathered to his people” as Aaron was.