Numbers 31:5
Numbers 31:5 in Multiple Translations
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.
So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
So from the thousands of Israel a thousand were taken from every tribe, twelve thousand men armed for war.
So one thousand men were chosen from each Israelite tribe, making twelve thousand troops ready for battle.
So there were taken out of the thousands of Israel, twelue thousande prepared vnto warre, of euery tribe a thousand.
And there are given out of the thousands of Israel a thousand for a tribe, twelve thousand armed ones of the host;
So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from every tribe, 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.
And they gave a thousand of every tribe, that is to say, twelve thousand men well appointed for battle.
So 12,000 men prepared for fighting in the battle, 1,000 from each tribe.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 31:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּמָּֽסְרוּ֙
מֵ/אַלְפֵ֣י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
אֶ֖לֶף
לַ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
שְׁנֵים
עָשָׂ֥ר
אֶ֖לֶף
חֲלוּצֵ֥י
צָבָֽא
וַ/יִּמָּֽסְרוּ֙
mâçar
H4560
to commit
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מֵ/אַלְפֵ֣י
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Prep | Adj
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
לַ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
Prep | N-ms
שְׁנֵים
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
עָשָׂ֥ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
חֲלוּצֵ֥י
châlats
H2502
to rescue
V-Qal-Inf-c
צָבָֽא
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:5
וַ/יִּמָּֽסְרוּ֙
mâçar
H4560
"to commit"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to set apart or deliver something, often used in the context of committing or entrusting something to God, as seen in Psalm 37:5. It can also mean to deliver someone over to another's care. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's care for his people.
Definition: 1) to set apart, deliver up, offer 1a) (Qal) to set apart 1b) (Niphal) to be delivered over, be assigned to, be set apart
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: commit, deliver. See also: Numbers 31:5; Numbers 31:16.
מֵ/אַלְפֵ֣י
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Prep | Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
לַ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
שְׁנֵים
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
עָשָׂ֥ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
חֲלוּצֵ֥י
châlats
H2502
"to rescue"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To arm or equip for war is the meaning of this verb, used to describe preparing for battle. It is translated as arm, deliver, or strengthen in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) to draw off or out, withdraw 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to draw, draw off 1a2) to withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be delivered 1b2) to be saved 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to pull out, tear out 1c2) to rescue, deliver, set free 1c3) to take away, plunder
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: arm (self), (go, ready) armed ([idiom] man, soldier), deliver, draw out, make fat, loose, (ready) prepared, put off, take away, withdraw self. See also: Leviticus 14:40; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalms 6:5.
צָבָֽא
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cs
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Numbers 31:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:5
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
Context — Vengeance on Midian
3So 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.
4Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.”
5So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war.
6And 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. 7Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.Numbers 31:5 Summary
This verse tells us that Moses chose a thousand men from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to go to war against the Midianites, as God had instructed him. These men were prepared and equipped for battle, trusting in God's power and protection, just like the Israelites did when they left Egypt, as seen in Exodus 13:18. This event shows us how God works through human means to accomplish His will, as seen in Romans 13:4, and it reminds us to trust in His power and protection, as encouraged in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10. By studying this verse, we can learn more about God's character and how He works in our lives, as supported by the principles in Deuteronomy 32:35 and Psalm 103:8-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses select a thousand men from each tribe of Israel?
Moses followed God's instructions to send a thousand men from each tribe of Israel to fight against the Midianites, as seen in Numbers 31:3-4, in order to execute the LORD's vengeance on them, which was a result of their sinful actions against Israel, as noted in Numbers 25:1-9 and supported by the principle in Deuteronomy 32:35.
What does it mean to be 'armed for war' in Numbers 31:5?
Being 'armed for war' means the men were prepared and equipped for battle, similar to the description in Exodus 13:18, where the Israelites went up out of Egypt 'armed for battle', indicating they were ready to face their enemies and trust in God's power and protection, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:1-4 and Psalm 144:1.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's vengeance?
This verse is an example of God's vengeance being executed through human means, as seen in Romans 13:4, where the authorities are described as 'God's servant, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer', and also in Deuteronomy 32:35, where God says, 'Vengeance is mine, and recompense', showing that God is the one who ultimately carries out vengeance, but sometimes uses human instruments to do so, as in the case of the Midianites in Numbers 31:1-12.
What role did the tribes of Israel play in this battle?
Each tribe of Israel was required to contribute a thousand men to the battle, as stated in Numbers 31:4-5, demonstrating the unity and cooperation of the tribes in carrying out God's will, as seen in Judges 20:1, where 'all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, came out as one man' to fight against the Benjamites, and highlighting the importance of working together to accomplish God's purposes, as encouraged in Psalm 133:1 and Ephesians 4:3-6.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to be 'armed for war' in my own spiritual life, and how can I prepare myself for the battles I face, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:10-18?
- How can I, like the tribes of Israel, work together with my fellow believers to accomplish God's purposes, as seen in Acts 2:42-47 and supported by the principle in Romans 12:4-5?
- What are some ways I can trust in God's power and protection, as the Israelites did, when facing challenging situations, as encouraged in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10?
- How can I balance the idea of God's vengeance with the concept of God's love and mercy, as seen in Psalm 103:8-10 and supported by the principle in Romans 11:22, and what does this mean for my own life and relationships, as encouraged in Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-36?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:5
So they were delivered out of the thousands of Israel,....] Several thousands very probably offered themselves voluntarily to go to the war, or however were summoned together on this account, and out
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:5
So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
A thousand of every tribe, to prevent emulations or divisions. God would send no more, though it is apparent that the Midianites were numerous and strong, because he would try and exercise their trust in him, and because he would hereby give them an earnest of their Canaanitish conquests.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
Numbers 31:5 So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of [every] tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.Ver. 5. Twelve thousand.] This was no great army, but they were Deo armati, with whom "there is no restraint to save by many or by few." How wondrously did God work by that handful of Hussites in Bohemia, when all Germany was up in arms against them by the Pope’ s instigation! And may it not be said of that small remnant, that now fighteth the Lord’ s battles in Ireland, "The Lord hath done great things for them, whereof we are glad?" Have they not been "helped with a little help indeed?" The more is our shame, that send them no more.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:5
5. and there were delivered] The use of this verb εַ ?ιִ ?ξָּ ?ρְ ?ψεּ would, if the reading were certain, mark the chapter as a late composition. It occurs in Numbers 31:16 (see, however, note), but not elsewhere in the O.T., while it is frequent in post-Biblical Heb. and in Aramaic. But LXX. has καὶἐξηρίθμησαν, and perhaps the true reading is εַ ?ιִ ?ξָּ ?τְ ?ψεּ ‘and there were numbered.’
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:5
Were delivered - Or, “were told off.”
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
5-7. Twelve thousand — The conscription of so small a number against the hosts of Midian; the appointment, as commander, of Phinehas, who had recently so greatly signalized himself by his zeal