Numbers 31 6

Numbers 31:6 kjv

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.

Numbers 31:6 nkjv

Then Moses sent them to the war, one thousand from each tribe; he sent them to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the holy articles and the signal trumpets in his hand.

Numbers 31:6 niv

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

Numbers 31:6 esv

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

Numbers 31:6 nlt

Then Moses sent them out, 1,000 men from each tribe, and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest led them into battle. They carried along the holy objects of the sanctuary and the trumpets for sounding the charge.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 6 Meaning

Numbers 31:6 describes Moses's commissioning of the Israelite punitive expedition against Midian. A select contingent of 1,000 men from each tribe, totaling 12,000, was dispatched. Crucially, they were accompanied by Phinehas, a key priest renowned for his zeal for God's righteousness, who carried sacred holy vessels and the trumpets used for giving the alarm. This specific formation underscored that the war was a divinely sanctioned "holy war," executed with spiritual authority, God's explicit presence, and instruments symbolic of divine command and intervention.

Numbers 31 6 Context

Numbers chapter 31 describes Israel's war of vengeance against the Midianites, commanded directly by God. This punitive action follows Midian's instrumental role in seducing the Israelites into idolatry and immorality through the incident at Baal-Peor (Numbers 25), which resulted in a devastating plague and divine judgment. The chapter details the execution of this war, including the command for all Midianite women and children to be killed (with exceptions later in the chapter for virgins), the spoils of war, and the subsequent purification rites. Verse 6 specifically details the composition and spiritual nature of the force sent into battle, highlighting that this was not a war of conquest but of divine retribution, underscoring its sacred character and God's involvement in righteous judgment.

Numbers 31 6 Word analysis

• And Moses sent them: (וַיִּשְׁלַח אֹתָם מֹשֶׁה, va-yishlach otam Mosheh) - Moses, as the divinely appointed leader, acted under God's explicit command (Num 31:1-2), dispatching the troops. This emphasizes human leadership directly aligned with divine will, making the war an act of obedience.
• to the war: (לַצָּבָא, la-tzavah) - Refers to a specific military campaign. In this context, it is not merely a secular battle but a "holy war" or "war of the LORD," undertaken for divine retribution rather than land acquisition. It is God's war.
• a thousand from each tribe: (אֶלֶף לַמַּטֶּה אֶלֶף לַמַּטֶּה, elef la-matteh elef la-matteh) - This specific selection of 1,000 men from each of the twelve tribes (totaling 12,000) highlights a chosen, representative, and complete force rather than a full military mobilization. It suggests that success hinges on divine power, not sheer numbers, emphasizing God's ability to achieve victory through a focused and obedient contingent.
• together with Phinehas: (וְאֵת פִּינְחָס, ve-et Phinehas) - Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, played a crucial spiritual role. Known for his zealous act in halting the plague at Baal-Peor (Num 25:7-8), his presence conferred sacred legitimacy and spiritual authority on the mission, symbolizing God's active endorsement and ensuring ritual purity for the camp during the campaign.
• the son of Eleazar the priest: (בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן, ben El'azar ha-Kohen) - This lineage specifies his priestly authority as part of the established Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing the legitimacy of his sacred role in this divine commission.
• with the holy vessels: (כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ, k’lei ha-kodesh) - These were unspecified sacred articles, likely from the Tabernacle, though not explicitly the Ark of the Covenant itself which normally requires the Levitical support (Exo 25:22). Their presence in battle affirmed God's active, sanctifying presence, transforming the conflict into a ritualistic act of divine justice. They signify that God Himself leads His people to battle.
• and the trumpets for the alarm: (וַחֲצוֹצְרוֹת הַתְּרוּעָה, va-chatsotserot ha-teru'ah) - The silver trumpets, used for signaling assembly, marching orders, and battle alarms (Num 10:1-10). The teruah specifically means a loud, joyous, or alarming blast. Their presence underscores God's direct command over the battle's execution, sacralizing the military action and indicating divine communication and power.
• in his hand: (בְּיָדוֹ, be-yado) - Indicates Phinehas's direct custody and control over the sacred objects. This personal oversight by the priest signifies the integration of religious and military aspects under divine directive.

Numbers 31 6 Bonus section

The "holy vessels" taken to war might refer to implements used for inquiry before the Lord (e.g., Urim and Thummim which were connected to the High Priest's ephod), symbolizing divine guidance in military strategy. Phinehas's presence as the priest-warrior, rather than Moses or a military general, indicates a shift towards a more explicitly sacred leadership for battles of judgment. This passage lays foundational principles for the concept of "holy war" in ancient Israel, where military actions were seen as an extension of God's will and executed under His spiritual authority, profoundly influencing later Israelite military theology as seen in the conquests of Joshua and judicial actions in Judges.

Numbers 31 6 Commentary

Numbers 31:6 encapsulates the spiritual nature of the Midianite campaign. It was not merely a military operation, but a divinely ordained act of retribution against an enemy that had directly challenged Israel's covenant purity and God's holiness through seduction into idolatry. The presence of Phinehas, the zealous priest, wielding sacred vessels and the command trumpets, transformed the army into an instrument of God's judgment. This demonstrated that YHWH was the true leader of Israel's forces, ensuring both victory and spiritual integrity. The selected force of 1,000 men per tribe symbolized a representative and complete contingent, signifying that the success lay not in numerical strength but in divine backing and holy purpose.