Numbers 31:4 - Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the war.”
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What does "Numbers 31:4" mean?
Numbers 31 describes a war against the Midianites as revenge for their role in leading the Israelites astray (Numbers 25). Verse 31:4, "Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the war,” outlines the method of conscription for this particular conflict.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Of every tribe one thousand...": This indicates that the number of soldiers to be raised from each of the twelve tribes of Israel would be one thousand.
"...throughout all the tribes of Israel...": This emphasizes that every single tribe was required to contribute equally to the war effort. There were no exceptions for any specific tribe.
"...you shall send to the war.”: This is a straightforward command to Moses and the leaders of Israel to enlist these soldiers for the purpose of engaging in the war against the Midianites.
In essence, the verse specifies a total force of 12,000 soldiers (1,000 from each of the 12 tribes) specifically for the war against the Midianites.
Why this method?
There are several possible reasons for this method of recruitment:
Fairness/Equity: It ensured that all tribes shared the burden and risk of war equally. This would have helped maintain unity and avoid resentment.
Representation: Each tribe had a stake in the outcome of the war, and this provided each one with the feeling they were represented and could play a role in this victory.
Strength: By drawing from all tribes, Israel could field a sizable and balanced army.
Maintaining Tribal Identity: It reinforced the importance of the tribal structure and identity within Israel.
In summary, Numbers 31:4 outlines a system of conscription that aimed to create a fair, representative, and effective army for the specific purpose of retaliating against the Midianites.
Numbers 31:4 - Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the war.”
What does "Numbers 31:4" mean?
Numbers 31 describes a war against the Midianites as revenge for their role in leading the Israelites astray (Numbers 25). Verse 31:4, "Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the war,” outlines the method of conscription for this particular conflict.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Of every tribe one thousand...": This indicates that the number of soldiers to be raised from each of the twelve tribes of Israel would be one thousand.
"...throughout all the tribes of Israel...": This emphasizes that every single tribe was required to contribute equally to the war effort. There were no exceptions for any specific tribe.
"...you shall send to the war.”: This is a straightforward command to Moses and the leaders of Israel to enlist these soldiers for the purpose of engaging in the war against the Midianites.
In essence, the verse specifies a total force of 12,000 soldiers (1,000 from each of the 12 tribes) specifically for the war against the Midianites.
Why this method?
There are several possible reasons for this method of recruitment:
Fairness/Equity: It ensured that all tribes shared the burden and risk of war equally. This would have helped maintain unity and avoid resentment.
Representation: Each tribe had a stake in the outcome of the war, and this provided each one with the feeling they were represented and could play a role in this victory.
Strength: By drawing from all tribes, Israel could field a sizable and balanced army.
Maintaining Tribal Identity: It reinforced the importance of the tribal structure and identity within Israel.
In summary, Numbers 31:4 outlines a system of conscription that aimed to create a fair, representative, and effective army for the specific purpose of retaliating against the Midianites.