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Numbers 31:7 - Divine command against Midyan's males

Numbers 31:7 - במדבר 31:7

Hebrew Text

וַיִּצְבְּאוּ עַל־מִדְיָן כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וַיַּהַרְגוּ כָּל־זָכָר׃

English Translation

And they warred against Midyan, as the Lord commanded Moshe, and they slew all the males.

Transliteration

Vayitzbe'u al-Midyan ka'asher tzivah Adonai et-Moshe vayahargu kol-zachar.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיִּצְבְּאוּ֙ עַל־מִדְיָ֔ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיַּֽהַרְג֖וּ כׇּל־זָכָֽר׃
וַֽיִּצְבְּאוּ֙ עַל־מִדְיָ֔ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיַּֽהַרְג֖וּ כׇּל־זָכָֽר׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Battle Against Midyan

The verse (Bamidbar 31:7) describes Bnei Yisrael's military campaign against Midyan, following Hashem's command to Moshe. This war was a direct response to Midyan's role in leading Bnei Yisrael astray through the incident of Ba'al Pe'or (Bamidbar 25:16-18). Rashi explains that Midyan, despite not being the primary instigator (that was Moav), was punished more severely because they acted with malice, sending their women to seduce the Israelites into idolatry and immorality.

The Command to Wage War

The phrase "כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה" ("as the Lord commanded Moshe") emphasizes that this was not a war of conquest or vengeance, but a divine decree. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) discusses the concept of milchemet mitzvah (an obligatory war), which includes battles against nations like Midyan that pose a spiritual threat to Klal Yisrael. The Torah's command here is rooted in the need to eradicate evil influence.

The Killing of All Males

The verse states that Bnei Yisrael "וַיַּהַרְגוּ כָּל־זָכָר" ("slew all the males"). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 72a) explains that this was a targeted measure against the adult males of Midyan, as they were the primary perpetrators of the plot against Bnei Yisrael. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:4) adds that this was a measure of middah k'neged middah (divine justice), as Midyan sought to destroy Israel spiritually, warranting a severe response.

Moral and Halachic Considerations

  • Selective Judgment: The Ohr HaChaim notes that the command specifically targeted the males, sparing women and children who were not complicit in the sin of Ba'al Pe'or (though later verses address exceptions).
  • Purpose of the War: The Kli Yakar stresses that this was not a war of cruelty but of purification, ensuring that Midyan could no longer lead Bnei Yisrael into idolatry.
  • Moshe's Role: The Sforno highlights that Moshe did not lead the battle himself, delegating it to Pinchas, as he had been sheltered in Midyan in his youth (Shemot 2:15-22) and thus acted with ethical sensitivity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Israelites fight against Midyan?
A: The Israelites fought against Midyan because Hashem commanded Moshe to do so (Numbers 31:7). According to Rashi, this was in response to the Midyanites' role in leading the Israelites into sin through the incident with the daughters of Moav (Numbers 25:1-9). The Torah teaches that Midyan's actions posed a spiritual danger to the Jewish people.
Q: Why did the Israelites kill all the males of Midyan?
A: The Torah states that the Israelites killed all the males of Midyan as commanded by Hashem (Numbers 31:7). The Ramban explains that this was a measure to eliminate the immediate threat, as the Midyanite men were the primary instigators in leading Israel astray. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 106a) also discusses the severity of their actions against the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the war against Midyan?
A: The war against Midyan teaches the importance of removing harmful influences from our lives. Just as the Israelites had to confront Midyan to protect their spiritual integrity, we must also be vigilant against negative influences that can lead us away from Torah values. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:4) emphasizes the danger of allowing destructive forces to persist unchecked.
Q: How does the war against Midyan apply to us today?
A: While we are not commanded to wage physical war today, the principle of standing against spiritual corruption remains relevant. The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 6:1) teaches that we must distance ourselves from negative influences, just as the Israelites had to separate from Midyan's harmful behavior. This applies to guarding our environment, friendships, and media consumption.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that they fought 'as Hashem commanded Moshe'?
A: The Torah emphasizes 'as Hashem commanded Moshe' (Numbers 31:7) to show that this was not an act of human vengeance, but a divine commandment. Rashi explains that this phrase comes to teach that Moshe faithfully carried out Hashem's exact instructions. The Talmud (Sotah 8a) derives from here that wars must be conducted according to Torah law and proper authority.