Numbers 31:6

And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of [every] tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

And Moses {H4872} sent {H7971} them to the war {H6635}, a thousand {H505} of every tribe {H4294}, them and Phinehas {H6372} the son {H1121} of Eleazar {H499} the priest {H3548}, to the war {H6635}, with the holy {H6944} instruments {H3627}, and the trumpets {H2689} to blow {H8643} in his hand {H3027}.

Moshe sent them, a thousand from each tribe, to the war; he sent them and Pinchas the son of El'azar the cohen to the war, with the holy utensils and the trumpets for sounding the alarm in his care.

And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

Commentary

Numbers 31:6 details the formation and spiritual leadership of the Israelite contingent sent by Moses to wage war against the Midianites. This verse underscores the unique blend of military strategy and divine mandate that characterized Israel's campaigns under God's direction.

Historical and Cultural Context

This military action was not an act of conquest but a direct command from the Lord to Moses to avenge the Israelites for the severe spiritual and moral transgression instigated by the Midianites. At Peor, Midianite women had enticed Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality, leading to a devastating plague that killed 24,000 (Numbers 25:9). God explicitly commanded, "Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites" (Numbers 31:2). Moses responded by commissioning 1,000 chosen men from each of the twelve tribes, totaling 12,000 warriors, reflecting a disciplined and representative mobilization.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Holy War: The war against Midian was a divinely ordained act of judgment against a people who had actively sought to corrupt God's covenant people. It highlights God's justice against sin and idolatry.
  • Spiritual Leadership in Conflict: The inclusion of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, was highly significant. Phinehas had previously demonstrated extraordinary zeal for God's holiness by taking decisive action to stop the plague at Peor (Numbers 25:7-8). His presence here underscored that this was not merely a military endeavor but a sacred mission, a holy war, conducted under priestly oversight and divine sanction.
  • Reliance on God's Presence and Guidance: The "holy instruments" and "trumpets to blow" carried by Phinehas signify that the Israelites' success in battle was dependent not on human strength alone, but on God's active presence and guidance. These items served as tangible symbols of God's leadership and the spiritual nature of their conflict.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "holy instruments" (Hebrew: k'lei hakodesh) most likely refers to sacred articles from the Tabernacle, possibly the Ark of the Covenant or other liturgical implements used in priestly duties. Their presence in battle served as a powerful reminder of God's dwelling among His people and His active participation in their cause. The "trumpets" (Hebrew: hatzotzrot) were the silver trumpets, used for signaling, assembling the congregation, and also for sounding alarms or battle calls, as described in Numbers 10:9.

Practical Application

While believers today are not called to wage literal holy wars, this passage offers enduring principles for spiritual life. It reminds us that:

  • God is righteous and will ultimately judge sin, though His methods and covenant relationship with believers differ from ancient Israel.
  • Spiritual battles require spiritual leadership and a profound reliance on God's presence. Just as Phinehas carried the holy instruments, Christians are called to engage in spiritual warfare, not with carnal weapons, but with the full armor of God and prayer (2 Corinthians 10:4).
  • Our true victories come not by human might or cleverness, but by acknowledging God's sovereignty, obeying His commands, and trusting in His active presence with us in all our endeavors.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 14:44

    But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.

  • Numbers 10:8

    And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

  • Numbers 10:9

    And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

  • 1 Samuel 4:17

    And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.

  • Numbers 33:20

    And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.

  • Numbers 33:22

    And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah.

  • 2 Samuel 11:11

    And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? [as] thou livest, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
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