Numbers 31:1-10 ▼

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2 “First, avenge the sons of Israel from the Midianites, and then you shall be gathered to your people.”

3 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.

4 Let one thousand men be chosen from each tribe of Israel, who shall be sent to war.”

5 And they gave one thousand from each tribe, that is, twelve thousand foot soldiers for battle.

6 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.

7 And when they had fought against the Midianites and had prevailed, they killed all the men.

8 And they put to death by the sword their kings: Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the five leaders of the nation, and also Balaam the son of Beor.

9 And they seized their women and little ones, and all their cattle, and all their goods; whatever they were able to have, they despoiled.

10 Both their cities and their villages, as well as their fortresses, they burned.