48 And the inspectors whom the thousands of the host hath, (heads of the thousands and heads of the hundreds), draw near unto Moses, 49 and they say unto Moses, 'Thy servants have taken up the sum of the men of war who 'are' with us, and not a man of us hath been missed; 50 and we bring near Jehovah's offering, each that which he hath found, vessels of gold—chain, and bracelet, seal-ring, 'ear'-ring, and bead—to make atonement for ourselves before Jehovah.' 51 And Moses receiveth—Eleazar the priest also—the gold from them, every made vessel, 52 and all the gold of the heave-offering which they have lifted up to Jehovah is sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels, from heads of the thousands, and from heads of the hundreds; 53 (the men of the host have spoiled each for himself); 54 and Moses taketh—Eleazar the priest also—the gold from the heads of the thousands and of the hundreds, and they bring it in unto the tent of meeting—a memorial for the sons of Israel before Jehovah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 31:48-54
Commentary on Numbers 31:48-54
(Read Numbers 31:48-54)
The success of the Israelites had been very remarkable, so small a company overcoming such multitudes, but it was still more wonderful that not one was slain or missing. They presented the gold they found among the spoils, as an offering to the Lord. Thus they confessed, that instead of claiming a reward for their service, they needed forgiveness of much that had been amiss, and desired to be thankful for the preservation of their lives, which might justly have been taken away.