A War Story That Won’t Make the Sunday School Cut

Numbers 31 is a difficult chapter to read. The Israelites, under Moses' command, go to war against the Midianites, and the outcome is harsh. The men are killed, and when the soldiers return with women and children as captives, Moses orders them to be killed as well—except for the young girls who have never been with a man.

Ancient Warfare: Not for the Faint of Heart

This passage is unsettling. It raises difficult questions about violence, morality, and historical context. Ancient warfare was brutal, but this level of destruction—especially when it involves non-combatants—can be hard to process.

Looking at the broader narrative, this conflict with Midian isn’t new. Earlier in Numbers 25, Midianite women were said to have led the Israelites into idolatry, which resulted in a deadly plague. This battle is framed as a response to that event, an act of divine vengeance. But even with that explanation, the severity of the punishment stands out.

The Elephant in the Room: What About the Women?

The treatment of women in this passage is particularly troubling. Only virgin girls are spared, but the text doesn’t say what happens to them next. Were they assimilated into Israelite society? Were they treated as slaves or wives? The lack of detail leaves many unanswered questions.

Justifications and Dilemmas

Some interpretations suggest that commands like this were about ensuring the survival of Israel in a hostile world. Others point to the norms of ancient warfare, where entire populations were sometimes wiped out to prevent future conflict. Still, knowing that such actions were common doesn’t make them any easier to accept.

Wrestling with the Text

For readers engaging with the Bible as a historical document, this passage sheds light on how ancient people understood power, survival, and divine will. For those considering its moral implications, it raises the challenge of how to interpret texts like this within a broader ethical framework. Later biblical passages emphasize justice, mercy, and restraint—so how does that contrast with what’s happening here?

No Neat and Tidy Endings

One way to approach difficult texts like Numbers 31 is to sit with the discomfort and acknowledge the complexities rather than rushing to justify or condemn. There’s no simple answer to why this passage exists or how to reconcile it with other ideas about justice and morality. But engaging with these difficult moments can lead to a deeper understanding of the text and the world it came from.