Numbers 31:6
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
And 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
And Moses sent them, a thousand from each tribe, to the war, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war with them, and the holy implements and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

NASB 1995
Moses sent them, a thousand from each tribe, to the war, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war with them, and the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

NASB 1977
And Moses sent them, a thousand from each tribe, to the war, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war with them, and the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Moses sent them, one thousand from each tribe, to the war, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war with them, and the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

Amplified Bible
Moses sent them, a thousand from each tribe, to the war, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to war with them, and the sacred vessels [of the sanctuary] and the trumpets to blow the alarm in his hand.

Christian Standard Bible
Moses sent one thousand from each tribe to war. They went with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, in whose care were the holy objects and signal trumpets.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Moses sent 1,000 from each tribe to war. They went with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, in whose care were the holy objects and signal trumpets.

American Standard Version
And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

Contemporary English Version
Moses sent them off to war. Phinehas the son of Eleazar went with them and took along some things from the sacred tent and the trumpets for sounding the battle signal.

English Revised Version
And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Moses sent them off to war, 1,000 men from each tribe along with Phinehas, son of the priest Eleazar. Phinehas took with him the holy articles and the trumpets for the fanfare.

Good News Translation
Moses sent them to war under the command of Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took charge of the sacred objects and the trumpets for giving signals.

International Standard Version
Moses sent 1,000 men from every tribe to fight against them, along with Eleazar's son Phinehas, in whose hands were the articles of the sanctuary and trumpets to sound battle alarms.

Majority Standard Bible
And 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.

NET Bible
So Moses sent them to the war, one thousand from every tribe, with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who was in charge of the holy articles and the signal trumpets.

New Heart English Bible
Moses sent them, one thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Moses sent them, one thousand of every tribe, to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Moses sends them, one thousand for a tribe, to the war; [he sent] them and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the war, with the holy vessels and the trumpets of shouting in his hand.

Young's Literal Translation
and Moses sendeth them, a thousand for a tribe, to the host, them and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, to the host; and the holy vessels, and the trumpets of the shouting, in his hand.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will send them a thousand for a tribe, to war, them and Phinehas, son of Eleazar the priest, to war, and the holy vessels, and the trumpets of the signal in his hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses sent them with Phinees the son of Eleazar the priest, and he delivered to him the holy vessels, and the trumpets to sound.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Moses sent them with Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest; also, he delivered to him the holy vessels, and the trumpets to sound.

New American Bible
Moses sent them out on the campaign, a thousand from each tribe, with Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest for the campaign, who had with him the sacred vessels and the trumpets for sounding the alarm.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses sent them to the war, a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for sounding the alarm in his hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Moses sent them to war, a thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed men, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the army, with the holy vessels of the sanctuary and with trumpets to blow in his hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe sent them one thousand from a tribe, twelve thousands who armed themselves, and Phinekhas, son of Eliazer the Priest, in the army, and articles of holiness and trumpets to blow in his hand.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses sent them away a thousand of every tribe with their forces, and Phinees the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest: and the holy instruments, and the signal trumpets were in their hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Vengeance on Midian
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.…

Cross References
Joshua 6:13-14
And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding. / So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

Judges 7:16-22
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. / When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’” ...

1 Samuel 4:4-5
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. / When the ark of the covenant of the LORD entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a great shout that the ground shook.

2 Samuel 11:11
Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!”

1 Chronicles 13:3-4
Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” / And because this proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to it.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

Psalm 68:1-3
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence. / As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God. / But the righteous will be glad and rejoice before God; they will celebrate with joy.

Isaiah 63:10-12
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. / Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, / who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,

Jeremiah 6:4-5
‘Prepare for battle against her; rise up, let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the daylight is fading; the evening shadows grow long. / Rise up, let us attack by night and destroy her fortresses!’”

Ezekiel 9:1-2
Then I heard Him call out in a loud voice, saying, “Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with a weapon of destruction in hand.” / And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. With them was another man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. And they came in and stood beside the bronze altar.

Matthew 10:1-4
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness. / These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ...

Mark 6:7-13
Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. / He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— / and to wear sandals, but not a second tunic. ...

Luke 9:1-6
Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. / And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. / “Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic. ...

John 18:3
So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Acts 13:2-4
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

a thousand.

Numbers 25:7-13
And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; …

the holy instruments

Numbers 14:44
But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.

Numbers 33:20-22
And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah…

Exodus 25:9
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

to blow

Numbers 10:8
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

2 Chronicles 13:12-15
And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper…

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Alarm Articles Battle Blow Eleazar Elea'zar Hand Hands Holy Horns Instruments Note Phinehas Phin'ehas Priest Sanctuary Shouting Sounding Thousand Together Tribe Trumpets Vessels War
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Alarm Articles Battle Blow Eleazar Elea'zar Hand Hands Holy Horns Instruments Note Phinehas Phin'ehas Priest Sanctuary Shouting Sounding Thousand Together Tribe Trumpets Vessels War
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














And Moses sent them into battle
The phrase begins with "And Moses," indicating continuity in the narrative. Moses, as the leader appointed by God, acts in obedience to divine command. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a commissioning or dispatching with authority. This action underscores Moses' role as a mediator of God's will, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance in leadership. The phrase "into battle" highlights the context of spiritual warfare, where the Israelites are not merely engaging in physical combat but are executing God's judgment against the Midianites, who had led Israel into sin.

a thousand from each tribe
This phrase reflects the organized and equitable nature of the Israelite community. The number "thousand" (אֶלֶף, eleph) signifies completeness and sufficiency, ensuring that each tribe participates equally in the mission. This distribution underscores the unity and collective responsibility of the tribes in fulfilling God's command. It also reflects the principle of shared burden and mutual support within the covenant community.

along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest
Phinehas, known for his zealous act in Numbers 25, is a figure of righteous indignation and divine approval. His inclusion signifies the spiritual dimension of the battle, as he represents the priestly authority and the presence of God among the people. The mention of "son of Eleazar" connects him to the priestly lineage of Aaron, reinforcing the continuity of God's covenant promises and the importance of spiritual leadership in executing divine justice.

who took with him the articles from the sanctuary
The "articles from the sanctuary" (כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ, kelei ha-kodesh) refer to sacred objects used in worship, symbolizing God's presence and blessing. Their inclusion in the battle signifies that this is not merely a military campaign but a holy war, with God Himself leading the charge. This highlights the principle that all endeavors, especially those involving conflict, should be undertaken with a sense of divine purpose and reliance on God's power.

and the trumpets for signaling
The "trumpets" (חֲצֹצְרֹת, chatzotzerot) were used for communication and coordination during battle, as well as for religious ceremonies. Their use here signifies the need for clear guidance and unity among the troops. In a broader spiritual sense, the trumpets represent the call to action and the proclamation of God's sovereignty. They remind the Israelites that their success depends on their obedience to God's commands and their attentiveness to His direction.

(6) With the holy instruments, and . . . --Or, with the holy instruments, even, &c. It does not appear whether the ark did or did not accompany the expedition. It has been inferred from Numbers 14:44 that the reference may be to the ark, but it does not appear probable that the ark would be so described. Moreover, Phinehas was not the high priest, and therefore would not have the ephod with the breastplate, which was worn at this time by-Eleazar. The reference may be only to the silver trumpets (see Numbers 10:9), or it may include other sacred instruments. This was emphatically a holy war; and we may learn, from the command given to the Israelites to take with them "the holy instruments," that they who would engage in the war against sin and Satan must "take to them the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:13).

Verse 6. - And Phinehas the son of Eleazar. The high priest himself could not leave the camp and the sanctuary, because of his duties, and because of the risk of being defiled (see verse 19); but his son, who was already marked out as his successor, could act as his representative (see on Numbers 16:37). In after times the Messiah Milchama ("Sacerdos unctus ad bellum," alluded to in Deuteronomy 20:2) who accompanied the army to the field was a recognized member of the Jewish hierarchy. Phinehas was of course specially marked out by his zeal for the present duty, but we may suppose that he would have gone in any case. With the holy instruments, and the trumpets. Septuagint, καὶ τὰ σκεύη τὰ ἅγια καὶ αἱ σάλπιγγες. The word instruments (כְּלֵי) is the same more usually translated "vessel," as in Numbers 3:31, and is apparently to be understood of the sacred furniture of the tabernacle. It is difficult to understand what "holy vessels" could have accompanied an expedition of this sort, unless it were the ark itself. The Israelites were accustomed at all critical times to be preceded by the ark (Numbers 10:33; Joshua 3:14; Joshua 6:8), and the narrative of 1 Samuel 4:3 sq. shows plainly that, long after the settlement at Shiloh, no scruples existed against bringing it forth against the foes of Israel and of God. Indeed there is a resemblance in the circumstances between that ease and this which is all the more striking because of the contrast in the result. Most modern commentators, unwilling to believe that the ark left the camp (but cf. Numbers 14:44), identify the "holy instruments" with "the trumpets;" this, however, is plainly to do violence to the grammar, which is perfectly simple, and is contrary to the Septuagint and the Targums. The Targum of Palestine paraphrases "holy instruments" by Urim and Thummim; these, however, as far as we can gather, seem to have been in the exclusive possession of the high priest.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Moses
מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the thousand
אֶ֥לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

from each tribe
לַמַּטֶּ֖ה (lam·maṭ·ṭeh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

into battle,
לַצָּבָ֑א (laṣ·ṣā·ḇā)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

along with
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

Phinehas
פִּ֨ינְחָ֜ס (pî·nə·ḥās)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6372: Phinehas -- three Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Eleazar
אֶלְעָזָ֤ר (’el·‘ā·zār)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 499: Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites

the priest,
הַכֹּהֵן֙ (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

who took with him
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ (bə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

the vessels
וּכְלֵ֥י (ū·ḵə·lê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

of the sanctuary
הַקֹּ֛דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

and the trumpets
וַחֲצֹצְר֥וֹת (wa·ḥă·ṣō·ṣə·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2689: (an ancient) trumpet

for signaling.
הַתְּרוּעָ֖ה (hat·tə·rū·‘āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8643: Clamor, acclamation of joy, a battle-cry, clangor, of trumpets, as an alarum


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OT Law: Numbers 31:6 Moses sent them one thousand of every (Nu Num.)
Numbers 31:5
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