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And the officers which were over thousands of the host,.... Over the twelve thousand, of which the host or army consisted: namely, the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses; of their own accord, without being sent, or required to do what they did.

Numbers 31:49

John Gill - Exposition - John Gill

And they said unto Moses,.... Gave the following relation to him, which is a very surprising one: thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge; since the war with Midian was over, they had mustered the several companies under their command, such as had thousands, and those that had hundreds: and there lacketh not...

Numbers 31:50

John Gill - Exposition - John Gill

We have therefore brought an oblation to the Lord,.... A freewill offering, out of the spoil, over and above the tribute levied out of the half that came unto them; what every man hath gotten: or "found" (f), in the houses, and upon the bodies of the slain, or of such that were taken captives: of jewels of gold either such as were set in gold; or...

Numbers 31:51

John Gill - Exposition - John Gill

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them,.... For it seems the several things before mentioned were all of gold: even all wrought jewels; or "vessels of work" (h) or wrought vessels, or instruments, "chains, bracelets", &c. which were all of gold, and curiously wrought. (h) כלי מעשה "vas operis", Montanus.

Numbers 31:52

John Gill - Exposition - John Gill

And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the Lord,.... The whole amount, weight, and value of it put together: even of the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and perhaps of every common soldier, who might contribute his part, though it is not mentioned, but included in the oblation of the officers: was 16,750...

Numbers 31:53

John Gill - Exposition - John Gill

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...

Numbers 31:54

John Gill - Exposition - John Gill

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds,.... Which they so freely and generously offered: and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation; and laid it up in some chamber there: for a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord: in remembrance of the signal victory these men...