And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.

NUMBERS 31:6KJV
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Numbers 31:6 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:6 mean?

Numbers 31:6 describes Moses sending a group of Israelite soldiers—one thousand from each tribe—into battle, led by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest. Phinehas carries the holy objects and the trumpets used for signaling, showing that this military action is closely connected to Israel’s worship and religious practices.

In this verse, Moses is organizing a military campaign as instructed earlier in the chapter. Phinehas, a priest, is chosen to go with the army, not just as a leader but as a representative of God’s presence, bringing sacred items and trumpets (used for communication and religious ceremony). This highlights that the battle is seen as having spiritual significance, not just a political or military one.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:6

  • "Holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means "set apart" or "sacred." The "holy instruments" (likely the sacred objects from the tabernacle) emphasize that the battle is being conducted under God’s authority and guidance.
  • "Trumpets" (חֲצֹצְרָה, chatsotserah): These are special silver trumpets used for calling the people and signaling in battle. Their presence shows the importance of order, communication, and the ritual aspect of the campaign.
  • "Blow" (תְּרוּעָה, teruah): This word refers to a loud blast or shout, often used in the context of signaling or announcing something important. The act of blowing the trumpet marks significant moments and rallies the troops.

Why Numbers 31:6 matters

  • Numbers 31:6 shows that Israel’s battles were not just military affairs but were deeply connected to their relationship with God, involving priests and sacred objects.
  • The verse clarifies that Phinehas’s role was not only as a military leader but as a spiritual representative, reinforcing the idea that God’s presence was central to Israel’s actions.
  • This detail connects to the broader narrative, where obedience to God’s instructions and the involvement of the priesthood are key themes in Israel’s journey and conflicts.

Where else these words appear

“Phinehas” Hebrew H6372 · used in 24 verses

  • Exodus 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
  • Joshua 24:33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

“trumpets” Hebrew H2689 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

“blow” Hebrew H8643 · used in 33 verses

  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 2 Samuel 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
  • Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.