1. THE Lord said to Moses,
2. Avenge the Israelites on the Midianites; afterward you shall be gathered to your [departed] people.
3. And Moses said to the people, Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian and execute the Lord's vengeance on Midian [for seducing Israel]. [Num. 25:16-18.]
4. From each of the tribes of Israel you shall send 1,000 to the war.
5. So there were provided out of the thousands of Israel 1,000 from each tribe, 12,000 armed for war.
6. And Moses sent them to the war, 1,000 from each tribe, together with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, with the [sacred] vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets to blow the alarm in his hand.
7. They fought with Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and slew every male,
8. Including the five kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba; also Balaam son of Beor they slew with the sword. [Num. 22:31-35; Neh. 13:1, 2.]
9. And the Israelites took captive the women of Midian and their little ones, and all their cattle, their flocks, and their goods as booty.