Numbers 31:1-8 ▼

1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2 “Take vengeance for the Israelites on the Midianites; afterward you will be gathered to your people [in death].”

3 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].

4 A thousand [fighting men] from each tribe of all the tribes of Israel you shall send to the war.”

5 So out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from each tribe were selected, twelve thousand armed for war.

6 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.

7 They made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.

8 They killed the kings of Midian along with the rest of their slain: Evi and Rekem and Zur [the father of Cozbi] and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian; also Balaam the son of Beor they killed with the sword.