Numbers 31:4
Numbers 31:4 in Multiple Translations
Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.”
Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
From every tribe of Israel send a thousand to the war.
You are to contribute one thousand men from each Israelite tribe.”
A thousande of euery tribe throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye sende to the warre.
a thousand for a tribe — a thousand for a tribe, to all the tribes of Israel — ye do send to the host.'
You shall send one thousand out of every tribe, throughout all the tribes of Israel, to the war.”
Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
Let a thousand men be chosen out of every tribe of Israel to be sent to the war.
Select 1,000 men from each tribe to fight.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 31:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶ֚לֶף
לַ/מַּטֶּ֔ה
אֶ֖לֶף
לַ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
לְ/כֹל֙
מַטּ֣וֹת
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
תִּשְׁלְח֖וּ
לַ/צָּבָֽא
אֶ֚לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
לַ/מַּטֶּ֔ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
Prep | N-ms
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
לַ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
Prep | N-ms
לְ/כֹל֙
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
מַטּ֣וֹת
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
תִּשְׁלְח֖וּ
shâlach
H7971
to send
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
לַ/צָּבָֽא
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
Prep | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:4
אֶ֚לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
לַ/מַּטֶּ֔ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
לַ/מַּטֶּ֑ה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
לְ/כֹל֙
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מַטּ֣וֹת
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
תִּשְׁלְח֖וּ
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
לַ/צָּבָֽא
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
Prep | N-cs
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Vengeance on Midian
2“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.”
3So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them.
4Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.”
5So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war. 6And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 26:8 | Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 14:6 | Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” |
| 3 | Judges 7:2 | Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many people for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ |
Numbers 31:4 Summary
This verse, Numbers 31:4, tells us that God instructed Moses to send a thousand men from each tribe of Israel into battle against the Midianites. This was an act of vengeance against the Midianites for leading the Israelites astray, similar to how God instructed the Israelites to take action against their enemies in Deuteronomy 20:1-20. By sending a thousand men from each tribe, God was demonstrating the unity and cooperation of His people in fulfilling His will, much like how the tribes worked together in the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 35:1-29. This verse reminds us that God is a God of justice and will judge those who oppose Him, as seen in Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God instruct Moses to send a thousand men from each tribe of Israel into battle?
God instructed Moses to send a thousand men from each tribe of Israel into battle as an act of vengeance against the Midianites for their role in leading the Israelites astray, as seen in Numbers 25:1-9 and Numbers 31:2, which references the Lord's command to take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites.
What is the significance of the number of men sent into battle?
The number of men sent into battle, a thousand from each tribe of Israel, signifies the unity and cooperation of the twelve tribes of Israel in carrying out God's command, as each tribe is represented equally, similar to how the tribes were represented in the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 35:1-29.
How does this verse relate to the concept of holy war in the Bible?
This verse is an example of holy war in the Bible, where God commands His people to take action against those who have opposed Him or led His people astray, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:1-20, which provides instructions for the Israelites when going to war, and in Joshua 6:1-27, which describes the conquest of Jericho.
What can we learn from Moses' obedience to God's command in this verse?
Moses' obedience to God's command in this verse teaches us the importance of trusting and obeying God's will, even when it may seem difficult or uncertain, as seen in Hebrews 11:24-27, which highlights the faith of Moses, and in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, which talks about trusting in God's power and strength.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of unity and cooperation among believers in fulfilling God's purposes?
- How can we apply the principle of trusting and obeying God's will in our own lives, even when faced with challenging circumstances?
- What role does vengeance play in God's plan, and how should we understand it in the context of Numbers 31:4 and the surrounding verses?
- How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's judgment and justice, as seen in verses like Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:4
Of every tribe a thousand,.... So that the whole number of those that were armed were 12,000 as after given: throughout all the tribes of Israel; this is observed, as Jarchi thinks, to comprehend the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:4
Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:4
4. The selection of 1,000 soldiers from each tribe is purely artificial. The larger ones could send a much greater number.
Sermons on Numbers 31:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Parables of Jesus - 02 Paying the Price by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the parables of Jesus in Mark's Gospel, specifically the parables related to paying the price to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. The firs |
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Isaiah Chapter 30 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of having a hard heart and not helping those in need. He tells a story of a brother who watched another brother drown multiple times |
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Trusting God Again Like a Child by Francis Chan | Francis Chan emphasizes the importance of trusting God with childlike faith, urging leaders to genuinely love their congregations and seek God's presence in their ministry. He refl |
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(Through the Bible) 1 Samuel 11-16 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer facing the Philistine army. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, Jonathan and his compan |
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Victory or Survival - Part 3 by Winkie Pratney | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and putting our faith into action. He uses the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer to illustrate this p |
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(1 Samuel) Blessings to a Bold Faith by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having bold trust in God and being willing to work hard for His purposes. He uses the story of Jonathan and his armor beare |
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Stepping Into Alignment With God's Will by Michael Howard | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with God's will and purpose. They share their experience of building a school that was specifically instru |