Why did God say this?

Unknown

Numbers 31:17-18
17Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
18But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.


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Was there any reason behind this??

clay

The army officers didn't do their job; under Balaam's direction, these people seduced the congregation of Israel away from God in that mess at Peor, causing the plague that struck God's people. I think it was in Revelations- that the teaching of Balaam has seduced the people, and made them sacrifice to idols?

The young virgins, usually were oppressed people that followed ideology of their spouse or father. The killing of married women, was probably a mercy killing, since they would be divided between the husband's ideology and the pure religion- that must- must- be undefiled- because out of the congregation of Israel- the Saviour and Pantokrator of the world will be borne. Secondly, these married women would probably teach their children to avenge Israel- a faction that would destabilize an already vulnerable nation.

And the young boys are obvious- they would avenge their fathers and fallen, depraved nation.

Read and give us your thoughts on this article:
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/midian.html

clay

I guess I am wrong. That article- which I just read- was pretty good at explaining how this was not at all, if not partly anything to do with religion, but the unprovoked attack at Peor? And that only the young women did not have property rights?

Here is another article: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/586

elsi70x7

[quote author=QT_PA_2T link=topic=6701.msg89585#msg89585 date=1212751111]
Numbers 31:17-18
17Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
18But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.


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Was there any reason behind this??


I think the reason behind this is very clear! Numbers 31:16......."They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the Lord........."

Boricua_Orthodox

Any Patristic commentary on this?

Unknown

I'll find out for myself. Asking on here is just too abusive.