Numbers 31:5 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

So from all the tribes of Israel, one thousand men were chosen from each tribe, making twelve thousand soldiers ready for battle.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes how Israel assembled an army by selecting 1,000 warriors from each of the twelve tribes, totaling 12,000 soldiers for war.

📚 Historical Context

This occurs during Israel's wilderness wandering period when God commanded them to take vengeance on the Midianites for leading Israel into sin at Baal-peor. Moses was organizing a military campaign as one of his final acts of leadership before his death. The equal contribution from each tribe (1,000 men) demonstrated unity and shared responsibility among all of Israel.

Explore Similar Verses

2 Chronicles 25:5

Amaziah brought all the people of Judah together and organized them into military units. He appointed commanders over groups of thousands and hundreds, organizing them by their family clans throughout Judah and Benjamin. He counted all the men who were twenty years old and older, and found 300,000 skilled warriors who were ready for battle and could fight with spears and shields.

Judges 20:44

Eighteen thousand men from the tribe of Benjamin were killed in battle; all of them were brave warriors.

Judges 20:17

The men of Israel, not counting the tribe of Benjamin, numbered 400,000 soldiers who could fight with swords. All of these were experienced warriors.

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save

📚 Historical Context

Explore Similar Verses

Ask the AI Assistant

Translation & Methodology Sources