Moses sent them, one thousand of every tribe, to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 6. Trumpets. These are the holy vessels just specified, though some believe that he carried the ark, which was done in some wars. Joshua 6:1. 1 Kennicott. 4:5. Priests always sounded the trumpet. Deuteronomy 20:2. Phinees was appointed general of this expedition to reward him for his zeal against the fornicators. Calmet.—Or Josue headed the army, as he did on other occasions, though his name be not here specified. The tribe of Levi was not obliged to go to battle, and therefore only twelve tribes send each 1000. Josue had been elected general by God, so that it was not necessary to mention his name. Salien.