Numbers 31:5

So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of [every] tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.

So there were delivered {H4560} out of the thousands {H505} of Israel {H3478}, a thousand {H505} of every tribe {H4294}, twelve {H8147}{H6240} thousand {H505} armed {H2502} for war {H6635}.

So out of the thousands of people in Isra'el, a thousand armed men from each tribe, 12,000 altogether, were mustered for war.

So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war.

So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.

Commentary

Numbers 31:5 details the specific composition of the Israelite army assembled for the punitive expedition against the Midianites, emphasizing a systematic levy from each of the twelve tribes.

Context

This verse is set within the narrative of Israel's war against the Midianites, a conflict initiated by a direct command from God to Moses. The impetus for this war was the severe transgression at Baal-peor (Numbers 25), where Midianite women had enticed Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality, resulting in a devastating plague. God explicitly commanded that "vengeance" be taken on Midian for their role in corrupting His people (Numbers 31:1-2). Verse 5 specifies the military levy: "a thousand of every tribe" of Israel, forming a total of "twelve thousand armed for war," indicating a disciplined and representative force prepared for this act of divine judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The war against Midian was not a territorial conquest but a direct act of divine retribution for their egregious sin in leading Israel astray. This highlights God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to judging wickedness that threatens the purity of His covenant people.
  • Unified and Organized Action: The selection of "a thousand of every tribe" underscores the unity and shared responsibility of all twelve tribes in executing God's command. This was a collective endeavor, demonstrating tribal solidarity under divine leadership and ensuring that all Israel participated in this crucial mission.
  • Obedience and Readiness: Moses and the Israelites promptly obeyed God's precise instructions for this specific war. The phrase "armed for war" emphasizes their immediate readiness and the serious nature of the mission, highlighting the importance of being prepared to carry out God's will effectively.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "thousands" (eleph) can signify not only a literal thousand but also a clan, family unit, or a military division. In this context, "a thousand of every tribe" implies a carefully chosen and well-organized contingent from each major tribal grouping, ensuring a total of 12,000 designated warriors for this sacred and punitive mission.

Practical Application

While this verse describes a historical military campaign, it offers spiritual insights for believers today. Just as Israel was commanded to confront external influences that led them into sin, Christians are called to be vigilant against spiritual corruption and to actively participate in God's purposes. This passage reminds us of the importance of unity in action within the community of faith and the necessity of being prepared for the spiritual battles we face, as we are called to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the enemy.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.