Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So Moses said to the people, “Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the LORD’s vengeance on them. New Living Translation So Moses said to the people, “Choose some men, and arm them to fight the LORD’s war of revenge against Midian. English Standard Version So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD’s vengeance on Midian. Berean Standard Bible So 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. Berean Literal Bible And Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianite, to put the vengeance of YHWH on Midian. King James Bible And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian. New King James Version So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm some of yourselves for war, and let them go against the Midianites to take vengeance for the LORD on Midian. New American Standard Bible So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, so that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD’S vengeance on Midian. NASB 1995 Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD’S vengeance on Midian. NASB 1977 And Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD’S vengeance on Midian. Legacy Standard Bible And Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute Yahweh’s vengeance on Midian. Amplified Bible Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for war, so that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD’S vengeance on Midian [for seducing Israel to participate in idolatry]. Berean Annotated Bible So Moses (drawn out) told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites (strife) and execute the LORD’s {YHWH} vengeance on them. Christian Standard Bible So Moses spoke to the people, “Equip some of your men for war. They will go against Midian to inflict the LORD’s vengeance on them. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Moses spoke to the people, “Equip some of your men for war. They will go against Midian to inflict the LORD’s vengeance on them. American Standard Version And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute Jehovah's vengeance on Midian. Contemporary English Version Then Moses told the people, "The LORD wants to punish the Midianites. So tell our men to prepare for battle. English Revised Version And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. GOD'S WORD® Translation Moses said to the people, "Some of your men must get ready to go to war against the Midianites. The LORD will use them to get even with Midian. Good News Translation So Moses said to the people, "Get ready for war, so that you can attack Midian and punish them for what they did to the LORD. International Standard Version So Moses instructed the people, "Muster your men of war to attack the Midianites and deliver the LORD'S vengeance against Midian. NET Bible So Moses spoke to the people: "Arm men from among you for the war, to attack the Midianites and to execute the LORD's vengeance on Midian. New Heart English Bible Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD's vengeance on Midian. Webster's Bible Translation And Moses spoke to the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves for the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD on Midian. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo 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. World English Bible Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian, to execute Yahweh’s vengeance on Midian. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Moses speaks to the people, saying, “Arm men from [among] you for the war, and they are against Midian, to put the vengeance of YHWH on Midian; Berean Literal Bible And Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianite, to put the vengeance of YHWH on Midian. Young's Literal Translation And Moses speaketh unto the people, saying, 'Be ye armed some of you for the host, and they are against Midian, to put the vengeance of Jehovah on Midian; Smith's Literal Translation And Moses will speak to the people, saying, Arm from yourselves the men for war, and they shall be against Midian, to give the avenging of Jehovah upon Midian. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Moses forthwith said: Arm of you men to fight, who may take the revenge of the Lord on the Madianites. Catholic Public Domain Version And immediately Moses said: “Arm the men among you for a battle, so that they may be able to fulfill the retribution of the Lord on the Midianites. New American Bible So Moses told the people, “Arm some men among you for the campaign, to attack Midian and to execute the LORD’s vengeance on Midian. New Revised Standard Version So Moses said to the people, “Arm some of your number for the war, so that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD’s vengeance on Midian. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Moses said to the people, Arm some of the men from among you for the host, and let them go against the Midianites to avenge the LORD against Midian. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Moshe said to the people: “Arm some of your men for the army and they shall be against the Midianites and they shall avenge the vengeance of LORD JEHOVAH from the Midianites. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Moses spoke unto the people, saying: 'Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Moses spoke to the people, saying, Arm some of you, and set yourselves in array before the Lord against Madian, to inflict vengeance on Madian from the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Vengeance on Midian…2“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.” 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.”… Cross References So Moses told the people, Exodus 24:3 When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.” Exodus 19:7-8 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. / And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD. Numbers 30:1 Then Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel, “This is what the LORD has commanded: “Arm some of your men for war, Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, Deuteronomy 20:1-4 When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. … Numbers 1:3 You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army. that they may go against the Midianites Judges 7:15-22 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” / And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. / “Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. … Judges 6:33-35 Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. / So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him. / Calling them to arms, Gideon sent messengers throughout Manasseh, as well as Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they came up to meet him. Judges 8:28 In this way Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. So the land had rest for forty years in the days of Gideon, and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. Psalm 149:7-9 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, / to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron, / to execute the judgment written against them. This honor is for all His saints. Hallelujah! Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” Jeremiah 46:10 For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. Joshua 6:2-5 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. / March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. … Judges 7:7-8 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.” / So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred men, who took charge of the provisions and rams’ horns of the others. And the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” Treasury of Scripture And Moses spoke to the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves to the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian. arm some Exodus 17:9-13 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand… avenge the Lord. Numbers 25:11,13 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy… Exodus 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Leviticus 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. Jump to Previous Amongst Arm Armed Avenge Carry Effect Execute Host Jehovah's LORD'S Midian Mid'ian Midianites Military Moses Punishment Service Speaketh Vengeance War YourselvesJump to Next Amongst Arm Armed Avenge Carry Effect Execute Host Jehovah's LORD'S Midian Mid'ian Midianites Military Moses Punishment Service Speaketh Vengeance War YourselvesNumbers 31 1. The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain13. Moses is angry with the officers, for saving the women alive 19. How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified 25. The proportion in which the prey is to be divided 48. The voluntary offering unto the treasure of the Lord So Moses told the people Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, acts as the intermediary between God and the people. This phrase highlights his role in communicating God's commands. Moses' leadership is crucial during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, and his actions often prefigure Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Arm some of your men for war that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses is acting on God's command to prepare the Israelites for battle against the Midianites. 2. The Israelites The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are being instructed to arm themselves for a divinely sanctioned battle. 3. The Midianites A nomadic people who were often in conflict with the Israelites. In this context, they are the target of God's vengeance due to their role in leading Israel into sin. 4. The LORD’s Vengeance This refers to God's judgment and retribution against the Midianites for their actions against Israel, particularly their involvement in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality. 5. War The event of armed conflict that Moses is preparing the Israelites for, as a means of executing divine justice. Teaching Points Divine JusticeGod's justice is perfect and righteous. The call to war against the Midianites was not a human decision but a divine command to execute justice. Obedience to God’s Commands Moses' instruction to arm for battle demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's directives, even when they involve difficult tasks. The Consequences of Sin The Midianites' actions led to severe consequences, illustrating the seriousness of leading others into sin and the resulting divine judgment. Spiritual Warfare While this passage deals with physical warfare, it can be a metaphor for spiritual warfare, reminding believers to be prepared to stand against spiritual forces of evil. Trust in God’s Sovereignty Believers are reminded to trust in God's sovereign plan and timing, knowing that He will execute justice in His perfect way. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 31:3?2. How does Numbers 31:3 demonstrate God's command for justice against the Midianites? 3. What can we learn about obedience to God's commands from Numbers 31:3? 4. How does Numbers 31:3 connect with God's covenant promises to Israel? 5. In what ways can we apply the call to action in Numbers 31:3 today? 6. How does Numbers 31:3 reflect God's sovereignty and authority over His people? 7. Why did God command Moses to wage war in Numbers 31:3? 8. How does Numbers 31:3 align with the concept of a loving God? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Numbers 31:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 31? 11. Who is the author of the Book of Numbers? 12. Why does God allow genocides to happen, including those commanded in the Bible (Numbers 31:17-18)? 13. Deuteronomy 3:26 indicates Moses was forbidden to enter the land--how does this affect the credibility of his supposed firsthand account? 14. What are key events in Joshua's life? What Does Numbers 31:3 Mean So Moses told the peopleMoses is acting as God’s faithful spokesman. The command did not originate with him; just two verses earlier “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take vengeance for the Israelites on the Midianites’ ” (Numbers 31:1-2). • Exodus 19:7 shows the same pattern: Moses takes God’s word straight to the congregation. • Numbers 16:28-30 underscores that when Moses speaks on matters like this, it is “not of my own mind,” but by direct revelation. Because God had already decreed judgment, Moses could not remain silent; the people had to hear and obey. Arm some of your men for war The call is specific and organized, not a chaotic mob. • Deuteronomy 20:1-4 outlines how Israel was to prepare for battle, beginning with confident trust that “the LORD your God is the One who goes with you.” • Joshua 4:12-13 records a similar mustering when 40,000 soldiers from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed the Jordan “armed for battle.” By telling only “some” to gear up, Moses preserves family life and daily worship for the rest of the nation, while still fielding a decisive force. Today we see a spiritual parallel in Ephesians 6:10-11: believers intentionally put on the armor of God for the battles we face. that they may go against the Midianites The target is clear. Midian had enticed Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor, causing a deadly plague (Numbers 25:1-9). • Numbers 25:16-18 is explicit: “Harass the Midianites and strike them, for they harassed you with their tricks.” • Earlier goodwill from Moses’ Midianite relatives (Exodus 18) does not cancel the guilt of this particular Midianite coalition; sin had separated them from blessing. Going “against” them is not personal spite—it is the fulfillment of covenant justice. and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them Vengeance belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19). Here He delegates that act to Israel, His covenant people, so the land will not be polluted by unjudged sin. • Psalm 94:1 calls God “the God of vengeance,” affirming His role as just Judge. • Isaiah 34:8 speaks of “a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion,” foreshadowing ultimate, final judgment. By obeying, Israel demonstrates that holiness matters and that God defends His people when they are led into sin by outsiders. summary Numbers 31:3 records Moses relaying God’s directive with precision: select troops, prepare for battle, confront the Midianites, and carry out the Lord’s rightful vengeance. The verse highlights (1) obedient leadership, (2) orderly preparation, (3) a specific enemy whose actions demanded judgment, and (4) divine justice carried out through human agents. In every phrase, Scripture underscores that the battle is the Lord’s and that His people are to follow His word without hesitation. (3) Arm some of yourselves . . . --Better, Arm from among you (or, from those with you) men for the war. The details of the selection are contained in the next verse.Verse 3. - Avenge the Lord of Midian. God, speaking to Moses, had commanded a war of vengeance; Moses, speaking to the people, is careful to command a war of religious vengeance. In seducing the people of the Lord the Midianites had insulted and injured the majesty of God himself. On the question why Midian only, and not Moab also, was punished see on Numbers 25:17. It is to be remembered that, however hateful the sins of licentiousness and idolatry may be, they have never aroused by themselves the exterminating wrath of God. Midian was smitten because he had deliberately used these sins as weapons wherewith to take the life of Israel.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So Mosesמֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver told וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר (way·ḏab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue the people, הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock “Arm הֵחָלְצ֧וּ (hê·ḥā·lə·ṣū) Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 2502: To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen some of your men אֲנָשִׁ֖ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person for war, לַצָּבָ֑א (laṣ·ṣā·ḇā) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign that they may go וְיִהְיוּ֙ (wə·yih·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the Midianites מִדְיָ֔ן (miḏ·yān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4080: Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled and execute לָתֵ֥ת (lā·ṯêṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5414: To give, put, set the LORD’s יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel vengeance נִקְמַת־ (niq·maṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5360: Avengement on them. בְּמִדְיָֽן׃ (bə·miḏ·yān) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4080: Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled Links Numbers 31:3 NIVNumbers 31:3 NLT Numbers 31:3 ESV Numbers 31:3 NASB Numbers 31:3 KJV Numbers 31:3 BibleApps.com Numbers 31:3 Biblia Paralela Numbers 31:3 Chinese Bible Numbers 31:3 French Bible Numbers 31:3 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 31:3 Moses spoke to the people saying Arm (Nu Num.) |
    |