Num 31: "Balaam predicted that a scepter will arise to destroy
'all the sons of tumult' (Num 24:17). As a token of this, Moses is now ordered
to wage war against the Midianite men of strife. He does so thus foreshadowing
the coming day of vengeance (Isa 26:9; 61:2; 63:4; Rev 11:18). This fulfills the
instructions earlier given him to 'vex the Midianites and smite them; for they
vex you with their wiles' and have 'beguiled you' (Num 25:17,18). The
Midianites, having enticed the Israelites to unfaithfulness, now must be
punished. The key verse of this chapter is v 3, with the word 'avenge'. It is
significant that in the battle, not an Israelite is lost" (Expos).
Num 31:17
EVERY WOMAN WHO HAS SLEPT WITH A MAN: That is, those
guilty of the seduction in Num 25.
Num 31:18
EVERY GIRL WHO HAS NEVER SLEPT WITH A MAN: But the
innocent young women are spared, who had not participated in the seductions of
Num 25.