What is the context?
The Lord directs Israel to attack the Midianites and identifies the cause as their deceit in the affair of Peor and Cozbi. The narrative moves from the internal judgment to a command concerning the people who participated in the enticement.
This ending prepares for the campaign in chapter 31. It does not say every Midianite who ever lived took part in this particular act; the accusation is tied to the narrated affair.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The USCCB notes link the command with chapter 31 and the earlier Moabite-Midianite alliance. Wesley also connects the final command with the failed curse and subsequent enticement. The later account supplies further details; an invented history of every group’s private planning is unnecessary to understand this stated link.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.
Where can I study this further?
No deeper study linked yet.