Numbers 31:41 Meaning and Explanation
“And Moses gave the tribute, which was the LORD's heave offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses delivers God's tribute from the soldiers' portion to Eleazar the priest.
The Context of Numbers 31:41
God's tribute from soldiers' portion is given to Eleazar.
What Does Numbers 31:41 Mean?
The transfer of God's tribute is formally executed. Moses gives Eleazar the priest all the tribute extracted from the soldiers' half—the animals and persons calculated according to the one-in-five-hundred ratio. This tribute, designated as 'the LORD's heave offering,' becomes the priestly portion. The transaction is explicitly described as done according to God's command, emphasizing obedience. The transfer honors both God and the priesthood's role as God's representative in Israel.
The completion of this transfer marks the final settlement of the soldiers' portion. After the tribute is removed and given to the priests, the soldiers retain the remainder of their half, which will be further divided among their individual tribal units and families. This process demonstrates the systematic way Israel translates military victory into structured economic benefit distributed according to both security needs and religious obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 31:41
What does Numbers 31:41 mean?
Moses delivers God's tribute from the soldiers' portion to Eleazar the priest.
What is the context of Numbers 31:41?
God's tribute from soldiers' portion is given to Eleazar.