The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 31:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And thirty-two thousand persons of the female sex, that had not known men.

Douay-Rheims

וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֔ם מִן־הַ֨נָּשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יָדְע֖וּ מִשְׁכַּ֣ב זָכָ֑ר כָּל־נֶ֕פֶשׁ שְׁנַ֥יִם וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים אָֽלֶף׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The portrayal of wives symbolizes the struggles and vulnerabilities of those who seek repentance and those who find themselves in a state of humility.