Numbers 31:5

5 So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—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 So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them.

4 Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.”

5 So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war.

6 And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

7 Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.