Numbers 31 to 36 in the King James Bible (KJV) covers the final events of Israel’s journey in the wilderness, including the conquest of Midian, the division of the Promised Land, and the establishment of cities of refuge. These chapters conclude the Book of Numbers with a sense of resolution as Israel prepares to enter Canaan, underlining the themes of divine justice, inheritance, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people.
Numbers 31: The Battle Against Midian
In Numbers 31, God commands Moses to lead the Israelites in a battle against the Midianites as a final act before Moses’ death (Numbers 31:1-2 KJV). The Midianites had led Israel into sin through their women and the worship of Baal-peor, as described earlier in Numbers 25. This military campaign is seen as a direct act of divine judgment.
Moses selects 12,000 men, one thousand from each tribe, to go to battle under the leadership of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest. The Israelites defeat the Midianites, killing all the men, including the five kings of Midian and Balaam, the prophet who had previously blessed Israel under God’s direction but had also counseled the Midianites to corrupt the Israelites (Numbers 31:8 KJV).
The Israelite forces capture the Midianite women, children, livestock, and goods, but when they return to the camp, Moses is angry. He instructs them to kill all the male children and any woman who had been involved in sexual immorality, sparing only the virgins (Numbers 31:14-18 KJV). The chapter concludes with the division of the spoils of war, with part going to the soldiers, part to the congregation, and a portion dedicated to the Lord.
Numbers 32: The Request of the Tribes of Reuben and Gad
Numbers 32 details the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who ask Moses for permission to settle on the east side of the Jordan River, in the land of Gilead. They argue that the land is ideal for their large herds of cattle, and they prefer to settle there rather than crossing into the Promised Land (Numbers 32:1-5 KJV).
Moses is initially angered by their request, fearing that their refusal to enter Canaan might discourage the other tribes, just as the negative report of the spies had done years earlier (Numbers 32:6-15 KJV). However, the leaders of Reuben and Gad promise that they will join the other tribes in the conquest of Canaan and only return to settle east of the Jordan after the land has been secured (Numbers 32:16-19 KJV). Moses agrees to their request, with the condition that they fulfill their promise (Numbers 32:20-24 KJV).
Numbers 33: Israel’s Journey Recounted
Chapter 33 provides a detailed itinerary of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. This recounting of the various stages serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 33:1-2 KJV). The chapter lists all the places where the Israelites camped and significant events, such as the crossing of the Red Sea and the rebellion at Kadesh (Numbers 33:3-49 KJV).
After recounting the journey, God instructs Moses to remind the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan when they enter the land. They are warned not to let any of the Canaanites remain, lest they become a source of temptation and lead the Israelites into sin. If the Israelites fail to remove them, the consequences will be severe (Numbers 33:50-56 KJV).
Numbers 34: Boundaries of the Promised Land
In Numbers 34, God gives Moses detailed instructions regarding the boundaries of the Promised Land. These boundaries are described geographically, outlining the southern, western, northern, and eastern limits of the land that Israel is to inherit (Numbers 34:1-15 KJV).
The chapter also lists the names of the men who will be responsible for overseeing the division of the land among the tribes. Eleazar the priest and Joshua are tasked with leading the division, with representatives from each tribe assisting in the process (Numbers 34:16-29 KJV). This chapter underscores the orderly nature of God’s plan for Israel’s settlement and the importance of fairness in distributing the inheritance.
Numbers 35: Cities of Refuge and Levite Cities
Chapter 35 outlines the provision of cities of refuge and cities for the Levites. The Levites, who are not given their own territory, are to receive 48 cities scattered throughout the land, along with pastureland for their livestock (Numbers 35:1-8 KJV).
Six of these cities are designated as cities of refuge, where someone who has killed another unintentionally can flee for protection (Numbers 35:9-15 KJV). These cities serve as a safeguard against blood vengeance and ensure that cases of manslaughter are judged fairly. However, the chapter also makes a clear distinction between murder and manslaughter. If someone is found guilty of intentional murder, they are to be put to death (Numbers 35:16-21 KJV). The cities of refuge offer protection only for those guilty of accidental death, and they must remain in the city until the death of the high priest, after which they may return home (Numbers 35:22-28 KJV).
This system reflects the balance between justice and mercy in God’s law, providing a means of protection for the innocent while ensuring that murder is dealt with justly.
Numbers 36: Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters
The final chapter of Numbers revisits the case of Zelophehad’s daughters, who had previously been granted the right to inherit their father’s land because he had no sons (Numbers 27). In Numbers 36, the leaders of the tribe of Manasseh raise a concern: if Zelophehad’s daughters marry outside their tribe, their land will transfer to another tribe, diminishing the inheritance of Manasseh (Numbers 36:1-4 KJV).
To resolve this, God instructs Moses that the daughters of Zelophehad may only marry within their own tribe, ensuring that the land stays within the family and the tribal inheritance remains intact (Numbers 36:5-9 KJV). This ruling applies to any Israelite woman who inherits land—she must marry within her tribe to preserve the inheritance. The chapter concludes with the daughters of Zelophehad complying with this command and marrying within the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 36:10-12 KJV).
Conclusion
The final chapters of Numbers present a mixture of military conquest, laws of inheritance, and final preparations for entering the Promised Land. The battle with Midian serves as a reminder of God’s justice, while the laws concerning inheritance and cities of refuge emphasize the importance of justice, fairness, and mercy within Israelite society.
As Israel stands on the brink of entering Canaan, the book ends with a sense of anticipation. The people have been shaped by their experiences in the wilderness and are now ready to step into the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through battles, laws, and divine commands, the Israelites are reminded of God’s faithfulness and the need to remain faithful to Him as they prepare to enter their new land.
