“Et hoc erit quod observare debebitis : omne generis masculini, et mulieres quæ cognoverunt viros, interficite ; virgines autem reservate.”
“And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man. hath lain: Heb. knoweth the lying with man”
“This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.””
“This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has lain with a man.””
“And this is the thing that ye shall do: ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.”
Cross references: : Num. 31:17
But, &c. This is not expressed in the Hebrew or the Septuagint, though it be sufficiently implied, (Calmet) as the males and married women only are ordered to be slain. (Haydock) — It is doubted whether the virgins, who were not fit for marriage, were reserved or butchered. But probably all the younger children were saved (Calmet) of that sex, though the order was to kill the wives and children; and the reason for sparing any was, that the Benjamites might be supplied with wives immediately. (Haydock) — Hebrew and Septuagint intimate, that the citizens were to be treated as those who were under an anathema: “ye shall utterly destroy;” anathematize. Yet the house and cattle were spared. (Menochius)