Numbers 31:1-9 ▼

1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2 “Avenge the Israelites on the Midianites; afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”

3 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.

4 You shall send a thousand from each of the tribes of Israel to the war.”

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

6 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.

7 They did battle against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male.

8 They killed the kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian, in addition to others who were slain by them; and they also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

9 The Israelites took the women of Midian and their little ones captive; and they took all their cattle, their flocks, and all their goods as booty.