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From the Rejection of That Generation to the Death of Moses - Flavius Josephus

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Chapter 7<br />

The Hebrews Fought With <strong>the</strong> Midianites<br />

1. Now <strong>Moses</strong> sent an army against <strong>the</strong> land <strong>of</strong> Midian, for <strong>the</strong> causes<br />

forementioned, in all twelve thousand, taking an equal number out <strong>of</strong> every<br />

tribe, and appointed Phineas for <strong>the</strong>ir commander; <strong>of</strong> which Phineas we<br />

made mention a little before, as he that had guarded <strong>the</strong> laws <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hebrews,<br />

and had inflicted punishment on Zimri when he had transgressed <strong>the</strong>m. Now<br />

<strong>the</strong> Midianites perceived beforehand how <strong>the</strong> Hebrews were coming, and<br />

would suddenly be upon <strong>the</strong>m: so <strong>the</strong>y assembled <strong>the</strong>ir army <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r, and<br />

fortified <strong>the</strong> entrances in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir country, and <strong>the</strong>re awaited <strong>the</strong> enemy's<br />

coming. When <strong>the</strong>y were come, and <strong>the</strong>y had joined battle with <strong>the</strong>m, an<br />

immense multitude <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Midianites fell; nor could <strong>the</strong>y be numbered, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

were so very many: and among <strong>the</strong>m fell all <strong>the</strong>ir kings, five in number, viz.<br />

Evi, Zur, Reba, Hur, and Rekem, who was <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same name with a city, <strong>the</strong><br />

chief and capital <strong>of</strong> all Arabia, which is still now so called by <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

Arabian nation, Arecem, from <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> king that built it; but is by <strong>the</strong><br />

Greeks called - Petra. Now when <strong>the</strong> enemies were discomfited, <strong>the</strong> Hebrews<br />

spoiled <strong>the</strong>ir country, and <strong>to</strong>ok a great prey, and destroyed <strong>the</strong> men that were<br />

its inhabitants, <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> women; only <strong>the</strong>y let <strong>the</strong> virgins alone, as<br />

<strong>Moses</strong> had commanded Phineas <strong>to</strong> do, who indeed came back, bringing with<br />

him an army that had received no harm, and a great deal <strong>of</strong> prey; fifty-two<br />

thousand beeves, seventy-five thousand six hundred sheep, sixty thousand<br />

asses, with an immense quantity <strong>of</strong> gold and silver furniture, which <strong>the</strong><br />

Midianites made use <strong>of</strong> in <strong>the</strong>ir houses; for <strong>the</strong>y were so wealthy, that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

were very luxurious. There were also led captive about thirty-two thousand<br />

virgins. (14) So <strong>Moses</strong> parted <strong>the</strong> prey in<strong>to</strong> parts, and gave one fiftieth part <strong>to</strong><br />

Eleazar and <strong>the</strong> two priests, and ano<strong>the</strong>r fiftieth part <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Levites; and<br />

distributed <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> prey among <strong>the</strong> people. After which <strong>the</strong>y lived<br />

happily, as having obtained an abundance <strong>of</strong> good things by <strong>the</strong>ir valor, and<br />

33

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