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31:1 The Lord <03068> spoke <01696> to <0413> Moses <04872>: 31:2 “Exact vengeance <05360> <05358> for the Israelites <03478> <01121> on the Midianites <04084>– after <0310> that you will be gathered <0622> to <0413> your people <05971>.” 31:3 So Moses <04872> spoke <01696> to <0413> the people <05971>: “Arm <02502> men <0376> from among you for the war <06635>, to attack <05921> <01961> the Midianites <04080> and to execute <05414> the Lord’s <03068> vengeance <05360> on Midian <04080>. 31:4 You must send <07971> to the battle <06635> a thousand <0505> men <04294> from every tribe <04294> throughout all <03605> the tribes <04294> of Israel <03478>.” 31:5 So a thousand <0505> from every tribe <04294>, twelve <06240> <08147> thousand <0505> armed <02502> for battle <06635> in all, were provided <04560> out of the thousands <0505> of Israel <03478>. 31:6 So Moses <04872> sent <07971> them to the war <06635>, one thousand <0505> from every tribe <04294>, with Phinehas <06372> son <01121> of Eleazar <0499> the priest <03548>, who was in charge <06635> of the holy <06944> articles <03627> and the signal <08643> trumpets <02689>. 31:7 They fought <06633> against <05921> the Midianites <04080>, as <0834> the Lord <03068> commanded <06680> Moses <04872>, and they killed <02026> every <03605> male <02145>. 31:8 They killed <02026> the kings <04428> of Midian <04080> in addition to <05921> those slain <02491>– Evi <0189>, Rekem <07552>, Zur <06698>, Hur <02354>, and Reba <07254>– five <02568> Midianite <04080> kings <04428>. They also killed <02026> Balaam <01109> son <01121> of Beor <01160> with the sword <02719>. 31:9 The Israelites <03478> <01121> took <07617> the women <0802> of Midian <04080> captives <07617> along with their little ones <02945>, and took <0962> all <03605> their herds <0929>, all <03605> their flocks <04735>, and all <03605> their goods <02428> as plunder <0962>. 31:10 They burned <08313> all <03605> their towns <05892> where they lived <04186> and all <03605> their encampments <02918>. 31:11 They took <03947> all <03605> the plunder <07998> and all <03605> the spoils <04455>, both people <0120> and animals <0929>. 31:12 They brought <0935> the captives <07628> and the spoils <04455> and the plunder <07998> to <0413> Moses <04872>, to <0413> Eleazar <0499> the priest <03548>, and to <0413> the Israelite <03478> <01121> community <05712>, to <0413> the camp <04264> on <0413> the plains <06160> of Moab <04124>, along the Jordan <03383> River across <05921> from Jericho <03405>. 31:13 Moses <04872>, Eleazar <0499> the priest <03548>, and all <03605> the leaders <05387> of the community <05712> went out <03318> to meet <07125> them outside <02351> the camp <04264>. 31:14 But Moses <04872> was furious <07107> with <05921> the officers <06485> of the army <02428>, the commanders <08269> over thousands <0505> and commanders <08269> over hundreds <03967>, who had come <0935> from service <06635> in the war <04421>. 31:15 Moses <04872> said <0559> to <0413> them, “Have you allowed all <03605> the women <05347> to live <02421>? 31:16 Look <02005>, these people through the counsel <01697> of Balaam <01109> caused the Israelites <03478> <01121> to act <04560> treacherously <04604> against the Lord <03068> in <05921> the matter <01697> of Peor <06465>– which resulted <01961> in the plague <04046> among the community <05712> of the Lord <03068>!

• Num 31:1-5 -- The Midianite War
• Num 31:6-13 -- Campaign Against the Midianites
• Num 31:14-18 -- The Death of the Midianite Women

• Balaam

  [ebd] lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor (Deut. 23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evi...
  [isbe] BALAAM - ba'-lam bil`am, "devourer"): The son of Beor, from a city in Mesopotamia called Pethor, a man possessing the gift of prophecy, whose remarkable history may be found in Nu 22:2 through 24:25; compare Num 31:8,16; Dt ...
  [smith] (B.C. 1451), the son of beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy. (Numbers 22:5) He is mentioned in conjunction with the five kings of Midian, apparently as a person of the same rank. (Numbers 31:8) cf. Numb 31:16 He see...
  [nave] BALAAM, son of Beor. From Mesopotamia, Deut. 23:4. A soothsayer, Josh. 13:22. A prophet, Num. 24:2-9; 2 Pet. 2:14, 16. Balak sends for, to curse Israel, Num. 22:5-7; Josh. 24:9; Neh. 13:2; Mic. 6:5. Anger of, rebuked by h...
  

• Moses

  [isbe] MOSES - mo'-zez, mo'-ziz (mosheh; Egyptian mes, "drawn out," "born"; Septuagint Mouse(s)). The great Hebrew national hero, leader, author, law-giver and prophet. I. LIFE 1. Son of Levi 2. Foundling Prince 3. Friend of the Pe...
  [nave] MOSES A Levite and son of Amram, Ex. 2:1-4; 6:20; Acts 7:20; Heb. 11:23. Hidden in an ark, Ex. 2:3. Discovered and adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh, Ex. 2:5-10. Learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, Acts 7:22. His loyalt...
  

• ABEL-SHITTIM

  [ebd] meadow of the acacias, frequently called simply "Shittim" (Num. 25:1; Josh. 2:1; Micah 6:5), a place on the east of Jordan, in the plain of Moab, nearly opposite Jericho. It was the forty-second encampment of the Israelites,...
  [isbe] ABEL-SHITTIM - a'-bel-shit'-tim ('abhel ha-shiTTim, "the meadow of the Acacias"): The name appears only in Nu 33:49; but the name Shittim is used to denote the same locality (Nu 25:1; Josh 2:1; 3:1; Mic 6:5). The name always...
  

• Midianites

  [nave] MIDIANITES Descendants of Midian, son of Abraham by Keturah, Gen. 25:1, 2, 4; 1 Chr. 1:32, 33. Called Ishmaelites, Gen. 37:25, 28; Judg. 8:24. Were merchantmen, Gen. 37:28. Buy Joseph and sell him to Potiphar, Gen. 37:28,...
  

• Israel

  [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...
  

• Wars of the Lord, The Book of the

  [ebd] (Num. 21:14, 15), some unknown book so called (comp. Gen. 14:14-16; Ex. 17:8-16; Num. 14:40-45; 21:1-3, 21-25, 33-35; 31. The wars here recorded might be thus designated).
  

• War

  [nave] WAR Divine approval of, 2 Sam. 22:35. Civil, Judg. 12:1-6; 20; 2 Sam. 2:12-31; 3:1; 20; 1 Kin. 14:30; 16:21; Isa. 19:2; forbidden, 2 Chr. 11:4; averted, Josh. 22:11-34. Enemy harangued by general of opposing side, 2 Kin. 1...
  

• SLAVE; SLAVERY

  [isbe] SLAVE; SLAVERY - slav, slav'-er-i: 1. Acquiring of Slaves 2. Hebrews as War Captives 3. Freedom of Slaves 4. Rights of Slaves 5. Rights of Slave Masters 6. The New Testament Conception LITERATURE The origin of the term "slav...
  

• Captive

  [nave] CAPTIVE Prisoner of war, Gen. 14:12; 1 Sam. 30:1, 2. Cruelty to: Putting to death, Num. 31:9-20; Deut. 20:13; 21:10; Josh. 8:29; 10:15-40; 11:11; Judg. 7:25; 8:21; 21:11; 1 Sam. 15:32, 33; 2 Sam. 8:2; 2 Kin. 8:12; Jer. 39:6...
  

• Phinehas

  [ebd] mouth of brass, or from old Egypt, the negro. (1.) Son of Eleazar, the high priest (Ex. 6:25). While yet a youth he distinguished himself at Shittim by his zeal against the immorality into which the Moabites had tempted the ...
  [isbe] PHINEHAS - fin'-e-as, -az, fin'-e-has, -haz (pinechac, "mouth of brass"): (1) Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron (Ex 6:25; compare 1 Ch 6:4; Ezr 7:5, where he is seen to be an ancestor of Ezra). He took a leading part in c...
  [smith] (mouth of brass). Son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. (Exodus 6:25) He is memorable for having while quite a youth, by his zeal and energy at the critical moment of the licentious idolatry of Shittim, appeased the divine w...
  [nave] PHINEHAS 1. High priest, Ex. 6:25; 1 Chr. 6:4, 50. Religious zeal of, Num. 25:7-15; Psa. 106:30. Chief of the Korahite Levites, 1 Chr. 9:19, 20. Sent to sound the trumpets in the battle with the Midianites, Num. 31:6. A ...
  

• Sanitation

  [nave] SANITATION. Carcasses Lev. 5:2; Lev. 10:4, 5; Lev. 11:24-28, 31-40; Lev. 22:4, 6; Num. 9:6, 10; Num. 19:11-16; Num. 31:19; Deut. 21:22, 23 Childbirth Lev. 12:3; Ezek. 16:4 Circumcision See: Circumcision. Contagion Le...
  

• Zur

  [ebd] rock. (1.) One of the five Midianite kings whom the Israelites defeated and put to death (Num. 31:8). (2.) A Benjamite (1 Chr. 8:30).
  [isbe] ZUR - zur (tsur "rock"): (1) A prince or chief (Nu 25:15; 31:8) of Midian, father of the woman slain with Zimri by Phinehas. Josh 13:21 describes him as one of the princes of Sihon, but the reference there is regarded as a g...
  [smith] (a rock). Father of Cozbi, (Numbers 25:15) and one of the five princes of Midian who were slain by the Israelites when Balaam fell. (Numbers 31:8) (B.C. 1451.) Son of Jehiel, the founder of Gideon. (1 Chronicles 8:30; 9:3...
  [nave] ZUR 1. A prince of Midian, Num. 25:15, 18; 31:8; Josh. 13:21. 2. A Benjamite, 1 Chr. 8:30; 9:36.
  

• Reba

  [ebd] fourth, one of the Midianite chiefs slain by the Israelites in the wilderness (Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21).
  [isbe] REBA - re-bek'-a (rebha`, "fourth part"; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Rhobe; Codex Alexandrinus Rhebek): One of the five chieftains of Midian who were slain by the Israelites, under Moses (Nu 31:8; Josh 13:21). Like his comra...
  [smith] (four), one of the five kings of the Midianites slain by the children of Israel when Balaam fell. (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21) (B.C. 1450.)
  [nave] REBA, a king of Midian. Slain by the Israelites, Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21.
  

• Rekem

  [ebd] embroidered; variegated. (1.) One of the five Midianite kings whom the Israelites destroyed (Num. 31:8). (2.) One of the sons of Hebron (1 Chr. 2:43, 44). (3.) A town of Benjamin (Josh. 18:27).
  [isbe] REKEM - re'-kem (rekem, "friendship"): (1) One of the five kings of Midian slain by the Israelites under Moses (Nu 31:8; Josh 13:21 (Codex Vaticanus Rhobok; Codex Alexandrinus Rhokom)). Like his companions, he is called a "k...
  [smith] (variegation). One of the five kings or chieftains of Midian slain by the Israelites. (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21) One of the four sons of Hebron, and father of Shammai. (1 Chronicles 2:43,44)
  [nave] REKEM 1. A king of the Midianites, slain by the Israelites, Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21. 2. A son of Hebron, 1 Chr. 2:43, 44. 3. A city in Benjamin, Josh. 18:27.
  

• Women

  [nave] WOMEN Creation of, Gen. 1:27; 2:21, 22. Named, Gen. 2:23. Fall of, and curse upon, Gen. 3:1-16; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14. Promise to, Gen. 3:15. Had separate apartments in dwellings, Gen. 24:67; 31:33; Esth. 2:9, 11. Ve...
  

• ARMY

  [ebd] The Israelites marched out of Egypt in military order (Ex. 13:18, "harnessed;" marg., "five in a rank"). Each tribe formed a battalion, with its own banner and leader (Num. 2:2; 10:14). In war the army was divided into thous...
  [isbe] ARMY - ar'-mi (chayil, "army," tsabha', "host," ma`arakhah, "army in battle array" gedhudh, "troop"): 1. The First Campaign of History 2. In the Wilderness 3. The Times after the Conquest 4. In the Early Monarchy 5. From the...
  [smith] I. JEWISH ARMY.--Every man above 20 years of age was a soldier, (Numbers 1:3) each tribe formed a regiment, with its own banner and its own leader (Numbers 2:2; 10:14) their positions in the camp or on the march were accurate...
  

• Evi

  [isbe] EVI - e'-vi ('ewi, "desire"; Euei): One of the five kings, or chiefs of the Midianites, slain by Israel during their sojourn in the plains of Moab (Nu 31:8; Josh 13:21).
  [smith] (desire), one of the five kings or princes of Midian slain by the Israelites. (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21)
  [nave] EVI, prince of Midian, slain, Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21.
  

• Hur

  [ebd] a hole, as of a viper, etc. (1.) A son of Caleb (1 Chr. 2:19, 50; 4:1, 4; comp. 2 Chr. 1:5). (2.) The husband of Miriam, Moses' sister (Ex. 17:10-12). He was associated with Aaron in charge of the people when Moses was absen...
  [isbe] HUR - hur (chur): (1) A prominent official in Israel. With Aaron he held up Moses' hands during the battle against the Amalekites (Ex 17:10,12) and assisted him as judicial head of the people during Moses' stay in the mount ...
  [nave] HUR 1. An Israelite who assisted in supporting Moses's hands during battle, Ex. 17:10, 12; 24:14. 2. A son of Caleb, Ex. 31:2; 35:30; 38:22; 1 Chr. 2:19, 20; 2 Chr. 1:5. 3. A king of Midian, Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21. 4. Cal...
  

• BEOR

  [ebd] a torch. (1.) The father of Bela, one of the kings of Edom (Gen. 36:32). (2.) The father of Balaam (Num. 22:5; 24:3, 15; 31:8). In 2 Pet. 2:15 he is called Bosor.
  [isbe] BEOR - be'-or (be`or, "destroyer"(?)): (1) Father of Bela, the first king of Edom (Gen 36:32; 1 Ch 1:43). (2) The father of the seer Balaam (Nu 22:5; 24:3,15; 31:8; Dt 23:4; Josh 13:22; 24:9, omitted in Septuagint; Mic 6:5; ...
  [smith] (burning or torch). The father of Bela, one of the early Edomite kings. (Genesis 36:32; 1 Chronicles 1:43) Father of Balaam. (Numbers 22:5; 24:3,15; 31:8; 23:4; Joshua 13:22; 24:9; Micah 6:5) He is called BOSOR in the New...
  

• Government

  [nave] GOVERNMENT Paternal functions of, Gen. 41:25-57. Civil service school provided by, Dan. 1:3-20. Maintains a system of public instruction, 2 Chr. 17:7-9. Executive departments in. See: Cabinet; King; Ruler; Statecraft. Ju...
  

• Vengeance on the Midianites

  

The Way of Balaam

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