Numbers 31:1–7

Vengeance on the Midianites

31 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Take vengeance on the Midianitesx for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.y”

3 So Moses said to the people, “Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the Lord’s vengeancez on them. 4 Send into battle a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel.” 5 So twelve thousand men armed for battle,a a thousand from each tribe, were supplied from the clans of Israel. 6 Moses sent them into battle,b a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehasc son of Eleazar, the priest, who took with him articles from the sanctuaryd and the trumpetse for signaling.

7 They fought against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses,f and killed every man.g