Numbers 31:19-54 - Divide the spoils equally

31:19-24

In the midst of the slaughter there is the fastidiousness of the way people who had touched a dead body, or had killed someone, had to behave, staying outside the camp for several days. The plunder also had to be purified. 1 Cor 3:13 perhaps alludes to Num 31:32? After the cleansing process, the soldiers were allowed back into the camp.

31:25-54

We now get details on the dividing of the spoils of war. Soldiers and the community were to get equal shares. One five hundredth of the soldiers share was to be given to the Lord, and one fiftieth of the community’s share. It is not clear where these “rules” came from. We are then given the numbers of the plunder, and it seems that an awful lot was captured.