Numbers 31:5

5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Yisra'el, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.

Numbers 31:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:5

So they were delivered out of the thousands of Israel
] Several thousands very probably offered themselves voluntarily to go to the war, or however were summoned together on this account, and out of them the following number was delivered of picked and chosen men:

a thousand [of every] tribe, twelve thousand armed for war;
which was but a small number to go against so considerable a nation and people; but this was done to show that the war was of the Lord, he would fight the battle, and give them victory, it being the same to him to do it with few as with many; and to encourage the people of Israel to believe the Lord would give them success against their many and powerful enemies in the land of Canaan, on the borders of which they now were.

Numbers 31:5 In-Context

3 Moshe spoke to the people, saying, Arm you men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midyan, to execute the LORD's vengeance on Midyan.

4 Of every tribe one thousand, throughout all the tribes of Yisra'el, shall you send to the war.

5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Yisra'el, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.

6 Moshe sent them, one thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Pinechas the son of El`azar the Kohen, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

7 They warred against Midyan, as the LORD commanded Moshe; and they killed every male.