1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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Numbers 31:27 And thou shalt divide the spoil equally, between them that fought and went out to the war, and between the rest of the multitude.

Equally. Those who had been in battle, had about a 50th part more than the rest. They gave the first-fruits to the priests, while those in the camp presented theirs to the Levites. Other rules were afterwards observed. See 1 Kings 30:24., and 2 Machabees 8:28. The Rabbins assign the greatest share to the king, (Selden, Jur. 6:16,) and Homer gives the largest portion to the general; after which the rest was equally divided, and even the absent partook. The gods were not forgotten. So also among the Hebrews, Syrians, etc., the general make an equal division. David assigns a part of the booty for sacred uses, 1 Paralipomenon 26:26. See Exodus 15:9. (Calmet)