1)

What are the connotations of "Vayitzb'u al Midyan"?

1.

Sifri #1 (citing the Chachamim): It means that they surrounded it (the town) on all four sides.

2.

Sifri #2 (citing R. Nasan) and Targum Yonasan: It means that they surrounded it on three sides - to give the enemy the option of fleeing. 1

1

See Torah Temimah, note 9 and Oznayim la'Torah.

2)

?Vayahargu Kol Zachar?. What are the connotations of ?Kol Zachar??

1.

R. Bachye: It means ?all the men? - since they took the children spoil together with the women? (as the Torah writes explicitly in Pasuk 9).

3)

If they killed all the males of Midyan and took all the females captive, it means that Midyan was exterminated and ceased to be a nstion. Then why are they mentioned numerous times throughout Tanach?

1.

Perhaps those occasions are referring to other nations who came to live in Midyan.

2.

According to the opinions that Yisrael left one side open for those who wished to flee, 1 perhaps some Midyonites did flee, and "Vahargu Kol Zachar" refers to those who fought against them.

1

Refer to 31:7:1:2.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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