5 So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
5 So twelve thousand men armed for battle, a thousand from each tribe, were supplied from the clans of Israel.
5 So there were provided, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
5 A fighting force of a thousand from each tribe of Israel - twelve thousand in all - was recruited.
5 So there were recruited from the divisions of Israel one thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
5 So they chose 1,000 men from each tribe of Israel, a total of 12,000 men armed for battle.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 31:5
Commentary on Numbers 31:1-6
(Read Numbers 31:1-6)
All who, without commission from God, dare to execute private revenge, and who, from ambition, covetousness, or resentment, wage war and desolate kingdoms, must one day answer for it. But if God, instead of sending an earthquake, a pestilence, or a famine, be pleased to authorize and command any people to avenge his cause, such a commission surely is just and right. The Israelites could show such a commission, though no persons now can do so. Their wars were begun and carried on expressly by Divine direction, and they were enabled to conquer by miracles. Unless it can be proved that the wicked Canaanites did not deserve their doom, objectors only prove their dislike to God, and their love to his enemies. Man makes light of the evil of sin, but God abhors it. This explains the terrible executions of the nations which had filled the measure of their sins.