Numbers 31:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

From a historical perspective, this argument holds substantial weight. In the land that was about to be claimed by the Israelites, it was deemed necessary to eliminate the male population, as they would soon grow into adulthood and pose a threat to the Israelites. Additionally, the female population was also to be removed; they had become a source of temptation and, if allowed to remain, could potentially lead to similar challenges once again.

The profound nature of justice can be appreciated in its unwavering essence, unaffected by circumstance, time, or individual, and even revealed in interactions with adversaries. For instance, it constitutes a violation of justice to alter the location or day of combat unexpectedly, once an agreement has been reached with the opponent. There exists a distinction between being taken captive in battle and during a tumultuous encounter, or through deception or happenstance. However, the harshest retribution tends to befall those enemies who are particularly cruel and treacherous, as well as those who have inflicted the greatest harm. This was evident with the Midianites, who, through their women, led many of the Israelites into sin, inciting God's anger against His people. Consequently, when Moses achieved victory, he spared none of them, while Joshua, faced with the Gibeonites who had ensnared the Israelites through trickery rather than force, opted to punish them instead of seeking their destruction.

The lawgiver commanded that the Midianite women who were married should be struck down (Num. 31: 17) because they were instructed in the ways of evil and had the potential to lead astray those who captured them.