And he said unto them, thus saith the Lord God of Israel,
&c.] The following orders are given by Moses, not of himself the chief magistrate, and as the effect of heat and passion, but there were from the Lord, who was Israel's God and King; he had them expressly from him, or by an impulse on his spirit, or in such a way and manner that he knew it was of God, and this was his will:
put every man his sword by his side;
girt there, ready to be drawn upon order:
and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp;
not into the tents, where good men might be bemoaning the sin committed, but throughout the streets, where many were loitering, it being a holy day with the idolaters:
and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and
every man his neighbour;
who were idolaters; none were to be spared on account of relation, friendship, and acquaintance.