Numbers 31:5

5 And they gave a thousand of every tribe, that is to say, twelve thousand men well appointed for battle.

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 And Moses forthwith said: Arm of you men to fight, who may take the revenge of the Lord on the Madianites.

4 Let a thousand men be chosen out of every tribe of Israel to be sent to the war.

5 And they gave a thousand of every tribe, that is to say, twelve thousand men well appointed for battle.

6 And Moses sent them with Phinees the son of Eleazar the priest, and he delivered to him the holy vessels, and the trumpets to sound.

7 And when they had fought against the Madianites and had overcome them, they slew all the men.