Numbers 31:3

KJV

And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} spake {H1696} unto the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Arm {H2502} some {H582} of yourselves unto the war {H6635}, and let them go against the Midianites {H4080}, and avenge {H5414}{H5360} the LORD {H3068} of Midian {H4080}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe said to the people, "Equip men from among yourselves for war. They are to go and fight Midyan, in order to carry out ADONAI's vengeance on Midyan.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them.

American Standard Version

And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute Jehovah’s vengeance on Midian.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 31:3 records Moses' solemn command to the Israelite people to prepare for war against the Midianites. This directive was not an act of human aggression or territorial ambition, but a divinely mandated act of righteous judgment, serving as God's response to Midian's role in enticing Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality at Baal-Peor, thereby avenging the Lord's honor and purifying the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 31:3 directly follows the devastating plague in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident and Phinehas's Zeal"), which claimed 24,000 Israelite lives due to their involvement with Moabite and Midianite women in cultic prostitution and idolatry related to Baal-Peor. The command for war against Midian is explicitly stated as a divine instruction to "avenge the LORD" (Numbers 31:2), making it a direct punitive consequence for their profound spiritual betrayal. This act of judgment also serves as a final cleansing before the new generation, counted in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), prepares to enter the promised land, underscoring the seriousness of covenant infidelity and the necessity of holiness for the inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Midianites were a nomadic, tribal people, descendants of Abraham through Keturah ([Genesis 25:2](/genesis/25-2 "Genesis 25:2 - Abraham's Descendants Through Keturah")), who inhabited areas east of the Jordan River and the Gulf of Aqaba. While sometimes allies or trading partners with Israel (e.g., Jethro, Moses' father-in-law), they became a significant adversary through their insidious role in the Baal-Peor incident. The command to "avenge the LORD" falls within the ancient Near Eastern concept of "holy war" or *herem*, where God commanded His people to execute judgment on wicked nations whose sin had reached its full measure. This was not a typical war of conquest but a divinely ordained act of retribution and purification, distinct from modern warfare and rooted in God's unique covenant relationship with Israel and His absolute holiness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it highlights **Divine Justice and Retribution**, demonstrating that God actively intervenes to punish sin, especially when His covenant and holiness are violated. It underscores the **Consequences of Idolatry and Immorality**, showing the severe repercussions for both those who lead others astray (Midian) and those who follow (Israel). The concept of **Holy War** (or *herem*) emerges as a specific instrument of divine judgment, emphasizing that Israel, in this instance, was acting as an agent of God's wrath, not their own. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Purity**, as the elimination of the Midianite influence was essential for Israel to maintain its distinctiveness and prepare for its inheritance in the Promised Land, free from corrupting influences, as seen in the broader narrative of [Numbers](/numbers/1 "The Book of Numbers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **avenge (Hebrew, _naqam_):** The Hebrew verb נָקַם (*naqam*) carries a richer meaning than simple human revenge. While it can denote personal vengeance, in a theological context, as here, it signifies divine retribution, vindication, or the execution of justice. It implies the restoration of violated honor, the setting right of a wrong, or the righteous consequence for an offense. Here, it is God's honor and covenant that have been transgressed by Midian's actions, and thus, it is God's justice that is being carried out through human agents.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** The use of the covenant name YHWH (יְהוָה), translated as "LORD," is crucial. It emphasizes that this is not a personal vendetta by Moses or Israel against Midian, but a divine mandate from the covenant God of Israel. The offense at Baal-Peor was ultimately against YHWH Himself, a direct assault on His holiness and His exclusive claim on Israel's worship. Therefore, the "avenging" is for God's sake, to uphold His righteous character and the sanctity of His covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses spake unto the people, saying":** This phrase establishes the divine authority behind the command. Moses, as God's chosen leader and prophet, is the conduit for God's will. The instruction is not a human initiative but a direct communication from God, relayed by His appointed representative to the entire community.
* **"Arm some of yourselves unto the war":** This indicates a specific, limited mobilization, not a general call to arms for the entire nation. It suggests a targeted punitive expedition rather than a full-scale national war of conquest. The phrase "arm some of yourselves" implies a selection of individuals specifically designated for this task, highlighting its unique nature as a sacred mission.
* **"and let them go against the Midianites":** This specifies the precise target of the divine judgment. The Midianites are singled out due to their direct and insidious role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Baal-Peor, distinguishing them from the Moabites who were also involved but are not the primary target of this particular "avenging" action.
* **"and avenge the LORD of Midian":** This is the core purpose and theological justification for the war. The war is not for Israel's gain, but to "avenge" or vindicate the honor and holiness of YHWH, which were profaned by Midian's actions. It underscores that the offense was ultimately against God, and the ensuing judgment is a manifestation of His righteous character and His commitment to upholding His covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Mandate**, where the command originates directly from God, communicated through Moses, underscoring its absolute authority and non-negotiable nature. This is further reinforced by the use of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "avenge the LORD," attributing a human-like action (being avenged) to God. This device emphasizes that God's honor and holiness were deeply offended by Midian's actions, requiring a visible act of vindication. Additionally, the verse functions as a clear example of **Retribution Theology**, directly linking a specific sin (Midian's corruption of Israel at Baal-Peor) with a direct, divinely ordained punishment (the war). This highlights the biblical principle that actions have consequences, especially in the context of God's covenant and His moral law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 31:3 underscores the profound biblical truth that God is a God of absolute holiness and righteous justice, who does not tolerate sin, particularly that which seeks to corrupt His chosen people and profane His name. The command to "avenge the LORD" reveals God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating that His patience with wickedness has limits and that He will ultimately bring judgment upon those who persistently rebel against Him and lead others into sin. This divine retribution is not arbitrary but is a necessary outworking of His character, ensuring the purity of His covenant community and the vindication of His honor. While the specific execution of judgment through physical warfare was unique to ancient Israel's historical context, the underlying principle of God's unwavering justice remains eternally true.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance Belongs to God")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")
* [Nahum 1:2](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2 - God is a Jealous and Avenging God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers in the New Covenant are not called to wage physical wars of vengeance, the principles embedded in Numbers 31:3 remain profoundly relevant for spiritual formation and ethical living. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin, especially idolatry and immorality, and the serious consequences that follow spiritual compromise. It calls us to a deep reverence for God's holiness and a commitment to spiritual purity, recognizing that engaging with the world's corrupting influences can lead to spiritual death. Just as Israel was to be set apart, believers today are called to be distinct from the world, engaging in spiritual warfare against the forces that seek to draw us away from God. We are to trust in God's ultimate justice, knowing that He will, in His perfect timing, address all wickedness and vindicate His name, even as we are called to extend grace and forgiveness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's command to "avenge the LORD" challenge or deepen your perception of God's character?**
* **In what ways might spiritual "Midianites"—influences that lead to compromise or idolatry—manifest in our lives today, and how can we "arm ourselves" against them?**
* **How can we balance the biblical truth of God's righteous judgment with the New Testament call to love our enemies and not seek personal vengeance?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the importance of purity and vigilance in maintaining our covenant relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command such a violent act against the Midianites?**

Answer: God commanded this act of judgment against the Midianites primarily because of their direct and insidious role in leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality at Baal-Peor ([Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident")). This was not an act of arbitrary violence but a divinely ordained "holy war" (*herem*), an execution of God's righteous judgment against a people whose wickedness had reached a tipping point and who actively sought to corrupt God's covenant people. It was a unique historical instance where Israel acted as an instrument of divine justice to vindicate God's holiness and purify the community, rather than for territorial expansion or personal revenge. This type of command is distinct from modern warfare and must be understood within the specific theological and historical context of ancient Israel's unique covenant relationship with God.

**Is the concept of "avenging the LORD" relevant for Christians today, given the New Testament emphasis on love and forgiveness?**

Answer: While Christians are explicitly commanded in the New Testament not to take personal revenge ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")) and to love their enemies, the underlying principle of God's justice and His ultimate vindication remains highly relevant. "Avenge the LORD" in Numbers 31:3 speaks to God's righteous response to sin and His commitment to upholding His holiness. For believers today, this translates into a call for spiritual vigilance against sin and idolatry, recognizing that God is indeed a God of justice who will ultimately judge all unrighteousness. Our "warfare" is spiritual, not physical, against spiritual forces of evil ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")), and we trust that God will bring about His perfect justice in His timing, culminating in the final judgment ([Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Great White Throne Judgment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The command to "avenge the LORD of Midian" finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While ancient Israel's act was a physical manifestation of God's justice against a specific enemy, Christ's mission was to address the root cause of all sin and rebellion against God—humanity's fallen nature and the spiritual forces of evil. Jesus, as the perfect [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully absorbed God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross, thereby "avenging" God's holiness not by destroying the sinner, but by providing atonement for sin. Through His death and resurrection, Christ triumphed over the spiritual "Midianites"—Satan, sin, and death—disarming the powers and authorities and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). He is the one through whom God's justice is ultimately satisfied and His honor fully vindicated, not through human warfare, but through divine sacrifice. Furthermore, Christ will return as the righteous judge, the one who "strikes down the nations" and "treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty" ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")), bringing final and perfect justice to all who have defied God, thus completing the ultimate "avenging of the LORD."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 26:25

And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Numbers 25:13

And he shall have it, and his seed after him, [even] the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

Exodus 17:9

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

Exodus 17:13

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Judges 5:23

Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

Judges 5:2

Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

Numbers 25:11

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.