Numbers 31:6
thousand <0505> [a thousand.]
Twelve thousand in all--a small number in proportion to all Israel, or to the forces which they had to encounter. As they were under the conduct of captains of thousands and hundreds, they probably had no general; for Phinehas seems to have accompanied them simply to take charge of "the holy instruments;" probably the ark and silver trumpets.
Phinehas <06372> [Phinehas.]
holy articles <03627 06944> [the holy instruments.]
signal <08643> [to blow.]
Numbers 31:4
thousand men .... tribe ..... tribes <04294 0505> [Of every tribe a thousand. Heb. A thousand of a tribe, a thousand of a tribe. a thousand.]
Numbers 31:27
Divide <02673> [two parts.]
Numbers 4:3
thirty years ....... years <08141 07970> [thirty years.]
enter <0935> [enter.]
do <06213> [to do.]
Numbers 4:23
thirty years ....... years <08141 07970> [thirty years.]
company <06633 06635> [to perform the service. Heb. to war the warfare.]
Numbers 4:30
company <06635> [service. Heb. warfare.]
Numbers 4:35
Numbers 4:39
Numbers 4:43
Numbers 8:24
twenty-five <06242> [from twenty.]
In ch. 4:3, the Levites are appointed to the service of the tabernacle at the age of 30 years; and in 1 Ch 23:24, they are ordered to commence their work at 20 years of age. In order to reconcile this apparent discrepancy, it is to be observed, 1. At the time of which Moses speaks in ch. 4:3, the Levitical service was exceedingly severe, and consequently required full grown, robust men, to perform it; the age of 30 was therefore appointed as the period for commencing this service, the weightier part of which was probably there intended. 2. In this place God seems to speak of the service in a general way: hence the age of 25 is fixed. 3. In David's time, and afterwards, in the fixed tabernacle and temple, the laboriousness of the service no longer existed, and hence 20 years was the age appointed.
company .... work <06633 05656> [wait upon. Heb. war the warfare of, etc.]
Numbers 31:3
you ........... execute ... Lord's <03068 05414> [avenge the Lord.]
It was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to take up. These people were idolaters, and had seduced the Israelites to practise the same abominations. Idolatry is an offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions, certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner. Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in this business: Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the children of Israel, (ver. 2,) because they were nearly ruined by their idolatries. If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to command any person or people to avenge his cause, this commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or devastation. Though none at present shew such a commission, yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter made by them. God himself passed sentence of condemnation, and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies.
Numbers 31:28
exact <07311> [levy.]
one life <0259 05315> [one soul.]
(NT only) to listen to the NET Bible 
