Numbers 31:3
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.

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].

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.

Majority 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.

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.

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 Version
And 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;

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 Bible
And 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 Bible
And 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 1917
And 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
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. ...

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.”

2 Chronicles 20:15-17
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. / Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. / You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Psalm 18:39
You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Isaiah 41:10-13
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. / Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. ...

Jeremiah 51:20-23
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. / With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. / With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. ...

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.


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.

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Numbers 31
1. The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain
13. 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
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, where Moses, the leader appointed by God, communicates divine instructions to the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "told" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which means to speak or declare. This emphasizes the authoritative and prophetic role of Moses as God's mouthpiece. Historically, Moses' leadership is crucial as he guides the Israelites through the wilderness, acting as a mediator between God and His people. This moment underscores the importance of obedience to divine commands in the life of the covenant community.

Arm some of your men
The instruction to "arm" the men indicates preparation for battle, a common theme in the Old Testament where physical warfare often parallels spiritual warfare. The Hebrew word "חָלַץ" (chalats) means to equip or prepare for war. This preparation is not just physical but also spiritual, as the Israelites are called to trust in God's deliverance. The historical context here is significant, as the Israelites are about to engage in a divinely sanctioned battle against the Midianites, highlighting the theme of God's justice and judgment against sin.

for war
The phrase "for war" signifies a specific purpose and mission. The Hebrew word "מִלְחָמָה" (milchamah) refers to battle or warfare. In the biblical narrative, war is often depicted as a means through which God executes His judgment and fulfills His promises. This context reminds the reader of the spiritual battles believers face, encouraging them to rely on God's strength and guidance.

against the Midianites
The Midianites were a nomadic people often in conflict with Israel. Historically, they were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, and their interactions with Israel were marked by both kinship and enmity. The command to go to war against the Midianites is rooted in their previous actions, particularly their role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). This highlights the biblical theme of holiness and the need to separate from influences that lead away from God.

to execute the LORD’s vengeance
This phrase underscores the concept of divine retribution. The Hebrew word for "vengeance" is "נָקָם" (naqam), which refers to retribution or justice. In the biblical context, God's vengeance is not about human anger but about restoring justice and holiness. This reflects the character of God as just and righteous, who acts against sin and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the assurance that God will ultimately uphold His righteousness.

(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 Moses
מֹשֶׁה֙ (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


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OT Law: Numbers 31:3 Moses spoke to the people saying Arm (Nu Num.)
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