Study Desk

The LORD said to Moses,

"Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people."

So Moses said to the people, "Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites and to carry out the LORD's vengeance on them.

Send into battle a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel."

So twelve thousand men armed for battle, a thousand from each tribe, were supplied from the clans of Israel.

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.

They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man.

Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba-the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as plunder.

They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps.

They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals,

and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho. ^(F76)

Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp.