The officers which were over thousands, &c.— After their return from war, the officers of the army made a muster of the soldiery to see what number they had lost. Three kinds of officers are distinguished: 1. Those who had the command of several thousands as the generals and lieutenant-generals. 2. Those who were over a thousand men each, as our colonels. 3. Centurions, or captains. Upon this muster they found, that not one man had fallen in the battle, Numbers 31:49. A surprising victory, which abundantly shewed the immediate hand of God! See Exodus 14:14; Exodus 23:22,Genesis 5:3-5. We find in prophane history some similar facts. In the famous battle of Leuctra, the Lacedemonians lost not one man; and Osorius Lusitanus tells us of a battle at sea, between the Portuguese and Indians, in which the Portuguese Admiral Pacheo killed an incredible number of Indians without the loss of one man. But, be these facts as they may, the present event clearly demonstrated the interposition of God; and in this light the officers considered it: for, with great joy, on account of so singular a protection, they unanimously resolved, out of the free plunder, to make a voluntary offering to God for the service of religion. This they did according to the piety of ancient times, Genesis 14:20 and as was practised in after ages, 2 Samuel 11:12. 1 Chronicles 26:26; 1 Chronicles 26:32. This offering consisted of chains, i.e. ornaments for their arms, or which were worn about their necks, 2 Samuel 1:10 bracelets, i.e. ornaments for their wrists, Genesis 24:47 ear-rings; in which we follow the Syriac version, which seems agreeable to the sense of the word elsewhere, particularly Ezekiel 16:12 where it plainly signifies jewels for the ear, and tablets. See Exodus 35:22.
Related Commentaries of Numbers 31:48
Numbers 31:48-50
48 And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
49 And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge,d and there lacketh not one man of us.
50 We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten,e of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.