Definition: And the children of Israel took [all] the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 31:9. It's a pretty dramatic and important passage in the Bible. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: The Situation: Around 1400 BC, Israel was facing a major crisis with its neighboring tribes of Midian. These tribes were known for being nomadic and often had families with children who weren't fully accepted by the Israelites. The Exodus: During the time of Moses’ leadership, the Israelites were fleeing Egypt. They were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The Capture: The Israelites, while wandering, stumbled upon the Midianites – a group of people who had been living in that area for a long time. They captured women and children from the Israelites, along with some of their livestock and goods. What Happened Next? The Loot: They took everything – all the women, kids, livestock, and possessions. It was a massive amount of wealth taken from the Israelites. It's Not a Reward: The verse doesn’t say they were giving these things away as gifts or rewards. It emphasizes that it was a seizure – a taking without permission. Key Takeaways & Context: A Serious Event: This event is often seen as a sign of God’s displeasure with the Israelites' wandering and their lack of faithfulness. Divine Punishment: The act highlights a consequence for Israel’s disobedience and lack of obedience to God’s laws. It was a way for God to punish them for their wandering and their refusal to follow His instructions. Focus on the Loss: It's important to remember this is about loss . They lost wealth, families, and a significant portion of their resources. In short, it’s a story of a massive loss of property and people due to a combination of wandering, conflict, and God's judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this event in more detail? Provide some historical context about Midian?