What does booty mean in the Bible?

Answer 1

Often referred to as the spoils of war, booty can refer to goods, treasure, valuables, livestock or even people that have been captured after a military raid or assault. For example,

So David assembled the restof the soldiers and went toRabbah. When he had fought against it and captured it, he took thecrown from Milcom's head. It weighed a talent, of goldand precious stones; it wasplaced on David's head. He brought out immense bootyfrom the city, and also led away the inhabitants, whom he assignedto work with saws, ironpicks, and iron axes, orput to work at the brickmold. This is what he did to all the Ammonitecities. David and all thesoldiers then returned toJerusalem. 2 Samuel 12:29-31 NAB

For a comparison to non-Biblical usage, one may recall the movie Beauty and the Beast, wherein the antagonist Gaston is leading a violent mob to storm the castle. Before assaulting the castle, he exclaims to the mob, Take whatever booty you can find, but remember, the Beast is mine! i.e. take whatever goods or valuables you can find.

REFERENCES

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. The New American Bible, (Iowa Falls: IA, World Bible Publishers, Inc. 1991.)