Numbers 31:1-20 ▼

1 And the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out),

2 “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites (God prevails). After that, you will be gathered to your people.”

3 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.

4 Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel (he wrestles with God).”

5 So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel (he wrestles with God)—twelve thousand armed for war.

6 And Moses (drawn out) sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas (mouth of brass) son of Eleazar (God has helped) the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

7 Then they waged war against Midian (strife), as the LORD {YHWH} had commanded Moses (drawn out), and they killed every male.

8 Among the slain were (strife) Evi (my desire), Rekem (variegation), Zur (rock), Hur (hole), and Reba (four)—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam (not of the people) son of Beor (burning) with the sword.

9 The Israelites (God prevails) captured the Midianite (strife) women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.

10 Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments,

11 and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals.

12 They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses (drawn out), to Eleazar (God has helped) the priest, and to the congregation of Israel (he wrestles with God) at the camp on the plains of Moab (of his father), by the Jordan (flowing down) across from Jericho (city of palms).

13 And Moses (drawn out), Eleazar (God has helped) the priest, and all the leaders of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp.

14 But Moses (drawn out) was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.

15 “Have you⁺ spared all the women?” he (drawn out) asked them.

16 “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel (he wrestles with God), through the counsel of Balaam (not of the people), to turn unfaithfully against the LORD {YHWH} at Peor (cleft), so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.

17 So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,

18 but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

19 All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you⁺ are to purify both yourselves and your⁺ captives.

20 And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”