Revenge-Midian!

נקם מדין!

 B'Midbar 31.2

2. 'Surely avenge the Children of Israel from the Midianites; afterwards you shall be gathered in to your People- נְקֹם נִקְמַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֵת הַמִּדְיָנִים אַחַר תֵּאָסֵף אֶל עַמֶּיךָ (5224+10 words = 5234 = 14=8).

The verse can be divided so:

·         Surely avenge the Children of Israel- נְקֹם נִקְמַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל(1943=17=8 counting final Mem as 600);

·         From the Midianites- מֵאֵת הַמִּדְיָנִים (600+2 words=8);

·         Afterwards you shall be gathered in to your People - אַחַר תֵּאָסֵף אֶל עַמֶּיךָ (2121+4 words=10=1).

The gematria of the words “surely avenge”- נְקֹם נִקְמַת is 780+2 words=17=8.

The Midianites

הַמִּדְיָנִים

719=17=8 or + 1 word=18 (Mem 600)

Rashi comments that revenge was not to be taken from the Moabites as the Moabites wanted to see Israel defeated through fear of them, whereas the Midianites became embittered into an argument that was not theirs. Moreover, in the future Ruth-רות was to come forth from Moab, and Na’amah-נעמה the wife of Solomon from Ammon (Ruth; Kings 1.14.21; Baba Kamma 38.b).

The following gematriot support the comment of Rashi:

Ruth-Na’amah

רות-נעמה

771+2 words=17=8

Ruth-Moav

רות מואב

655+2 words=18

Na’amah-Ammon

נעמה עמון

981=18

Ruth and Na’amah are described by Rashi as “two fine young doves”-שתי פרידות טובות (1833 +3 words=18).

Ruth -Na’amah -Two Fine Young Doves

רות נעמה שתי פרידות טובות

2604+5 words=17=8