Numbers 31:4 - Tribal unity in holy war

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Hebrew Text

אֶלֶף לַמַּטֶּה אֶלֶף לַמַּטֶּה לְכֹל מַטּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל תִּשְׁלְחוּ לַצָּבָא׃

English Translation

Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Yisra᾽el, shall you send to the war.

Transliteration

Elef la'mateh elef la'mateh le'chol mateot Yisrael tishlachu la'tzava.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֶ֚לֶף לַמַּטֶּ֔ה אֶ֖לֶף לַמַּטֶּ֑ה לְכֹל֙ מַטּ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל תִּשְׁלְח֖וּ לַצָּבָֽא׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Bamidbar 31:4) appears in the context of Hashem's command to Moshe to mobilize an army to wage war against Midian as retribution for their role in leading Bnei Yisrael astray through the incident of Baal Peor (Bamidbar 25). The instruction specifies that each tribe must contribute an equal number of soldiers - one thousand per tribe.

Equal Representation from All Tribes

Rashi explains that the repetition of "אֶלֶף לַמַּטֶּה" (a thousand per tribe) emphasizes that each tribe must contribute the same number, regardless of its size. This teaches that in matters of national importance, all tribes share equal responsibility in defending the honor of Hashem and the Jewish people.

Spiritual Dimension of Military Service

The Ramban notes that this was not merely a military campaign, but a sacred mission to carry out Divine justice. The equal representation symbolizes that the war effort required both physical strength and spiritual merit from all segments of the nation. The Talmud (Sotah 43a) derives from here that an army must include Torah scholars to ensure spiritual success in battle.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma connects this to the concept of unity - just as the Menorah in the Mishkan had equal branches, so too each tribe contributed equally to this national effort.
Baal HaTurim points out that the numerical value of "אֶלֶף" (eleph - thousand) equals 111, hinting at the unity (אֶחָד) required among the soldiers.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 7:1) cites this verse as establishing the principle that military service in a milchemet mitzvah (obligatory war) requires participation from all segments of the nation. The equal numbers from each tribe demonstrate that national defense is a shared responsibility that transcends tribal differences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 31:4 mean when it says 'a thousand from each tribe'?
A: Numbers 31:4 refers to the command to send 1,000 soldiers from each of the 12 tribes of Israel to wage war against Midian. Rashi explains that this was a fair and equal distribution, ensuring all tribes shared equally in the mitzvah (commandment) and the responsibility of defending the nation.

Q: Why did each tribe send the same number of soldiers in Numbers 31:4?
A: The Torah emphasizes equality among the tribes by requiring each to contribute the same number of soldiers (1,000). The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah) teaches that this prevented jealousy and ensured unity, showing that every tribe—regardless of size—had an equal role in fulfilling Hashem's command.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 31:4 about community responsibility?
A: Numbers 31:4 teaches that every member of the Jewish people has a shared responsibility in communal obligations. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim) derives from this that national mitzvot, like defending the community, require collective participation—no tribe or individual is exempt from contributing their fair share.

Q: How does the concept of 'a thousand per tribe' apply today?
A: While we no longer wage physical wars as in biblical times, the principle of equal responsibility remains. The Talmud (Sotah 44a) applies this idea to communal needs like Torah study and charity—every Jew must contribute according to their ability, just as each tribe gave equally in Numbers 31:4.