The Midianite virgins were not killed in Numbers 31:17-18 because they did not participate in the idolatrous sin of Baal at Peor. They were not kept for sexual exploitation, but were to be safely integrated into Israeli households. Let's take a look.

> Num. 31:17-18, "Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. 18 But all the girls who have not known a man intimately, spare for yourselves."

The Midianites were descended from Abraham and Keturah (Gen. 25:1). They inhabited the land of Moab and were apparently involved in seducing Israel into going after false gods. Because the Israelites fell into idolatry this way, God condescended to order the deaths of all who bowed to false gods, preventing this spiritual cancer from destroying the messianic lineage.

The Midianite virgins were not killed in Numbers 31:17-18 because they did not participate in the idolatrous sin of Baal at Peor. They were not kept for sexual exploitation, but were to be integrated into Israeli households. Let’s take a look.

Num. 31:17–18, "Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. 18 But all the girls who have not known a man intimately, spare for yourselves."

The Midianites were descended from Abraham and Keturah (Gen. 25:1). They inhabited the land of Moab and were apparently involved in seducing Israel into going after false gods. Because the Israelites fell into idolatry this way, the severe judgment upon the Midianites served to sever Israel from the fatal spiritual infection of idolatry, protecting them from further spiritual and physical destruction.