and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 27. 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 Kennicott. 30:24. 2 Maccabees 8:28. The Rabbins assign the greatest share to the king, (Seld. Jur. vi. 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, and so forth the general make an equal division. David assigns a part of the booty for sacred uses, 1 Chronicles 26:26. See Exodus 15:9. Calmet.