Numbers 31: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Numbers 31 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh commands Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites, and Moses mobilizes a thousand men from each tribe of Israel for war (vv. 1-6). The Israelites fight and kill every male in Midian, including the five kings and Balaam (vv.

Key verse

“They fought against Midian, as Yahweh commanded Moses. They killed every male.”
Numbers 31:7 (WEB)

Outline

Numbers 31:1–6 Divine Command for Vengeance
Numbers 31:7–12 Battle Against Midian
Numbers 31:13–18 Moses' Anger and Instructions
Numbers 31:19–24 Purification After Battle
Numbers 31:25–31 Division of Plunder
Numbers 31:32–41 Details of the Plunder
Numbers 31:42–54 Offering and Memorial

Discussion questions

In v6, what role does Phinehas play during the war against Midian?
What actions do the Israelites take in vv. 9-10 after defeating the Midianites?
Moses' anger in v14: what are the implications of his response to the soldiers?
The order in v17 to kill every male child: what does this suggest about the seriousness of Israel's past conflicts?
When have you faced a situation where a past choice required a hard decision, like Moses' orders in v17?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 31: Numbers 25, Numbers 19, 1 Samuel 30.

Before next time: read Numbers 32.