me.che.tsah denotes one of two portions in the division of livestock between the army and the congregation.

The two occurrences describe one portion in a two-way division of livestock: the portion assigned to those going out to the army and the corresponding portion of the congregation.

1. A portion in a two-way livestock division · dominant

   In Numbers 31:36, the absolute singular form identifies the portion belonging to those who went out to the army, with the APB rendering the clause "And the half, the portion of those who went out to the army." In Numbers 31:43, the construct singular form marks the congregation's portion, rendered "the half of the congregation."

   Numbers 31:36Numbers 31:43

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the noun in both verses with "half," distinguishing the army's portion in Numbers 31:36 from the congregation's portion in Numbers 31:43. These renderings confirm the division described by each clause rather than establish a finer distinction.