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« Some of the Canaanites rise up to fight Israel, who are frightened and run away. But the Sons of Levi compel them to Return. They prevail over their Enemies. They must not touch Ammon. Og, King of Bashan. Balaam is called upon to curse Israel, but will not. Israel commits Whoredom with the Moabites, and they are Smitten with Pestilence. Moses appoints Joshua his successor. The Lord encourages Joshua. Moses teaches the children of Israel to Walk in the Way of the Lord. He goes up to Mount Abarim and dies there. »
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The Book of Jasher 86

2 min 12 verses From the 1840 English edition (Moses Samuel / M.M. Noah), public domain.

All over twenty years of age at the time of Leaving Egypt die at the Expiration of Forty Years. Israel is Numbered. The Midianites are destroyed, and their Spoil is Divided among the People.

After the pestilence Moses and Elazer numbered the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward at seven hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty.

A1🔗t that time after the pestilence, the Lord said to Moses, and to Elazer the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

2🔗 Number the heads of the whole community of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth in the army.

3🔗 And Moses and Elazer numbered the children of Israel after their families, and the number of all Israel was seven hundred thousand, seven hundred and thirty.

4🔗 And the number of the children of Levi, from one month old and upward, was twenty-three thousand, and amongst these there was not a man of those numbered by Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai.

5🔗 For the Lord had told them that they would die in the wilderness, so they all died, and not one had been left of them excepting Caleb the son of Jephuneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

6🔗 And it was after this that the Lord said to Moses, Say unto the children of Israel to avenge upon Midian the cause of their brethren the children of Israel.

7🔗 And Moses did so, and the children of Israel chose from amongst them twelve thousand men, being one thousand to a tribe, and they went to Midian.

8🔗 And the children of Israel warred against Midian, and they slew every male, also the five princes ofMidian, and Balaam the son of Beor did they slay with the sword.

9🔗 And the children of Israel took the wives of Midian captive, with their little ones and their cattle, and all belonging to them.

10🔗 And they took all the spoil and all the prey, and they brought it to Moses and to Elazer to the plains of Moab.

11🔗 And Moses and Elazer and all the princes of the congregation went forth to meet them with joy.

12🔗 And they divided all the spoil of Midian, and the children of Israel had been revenged upon Midian for the cause of their brethren the children of Israel.

Commentary

In brief

After the pestilence Moses and Elazer number Israel at seven hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty and the Levites at twenty-three thousand with only Caleb and Joshua left from before. Twelve thousand men then attack Midian slaying every male including five princes and Balaam before taking and dividing the captives and spoil joyfully.

Did You Know?

1

After the pestilence Moses and Elazer numbered the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward at seven hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty.

2

The children of Levi from one month old and upward numbered twenty-three thousand and none of those from the Sinai census remained among them.

3

Not one of those numbered by Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai survived except Caleb the son of Jephuneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

4

The children of Israel chose twelve thousand men being one thousand to a tribe and they went to Midian.

5

The children of Israel warred against Midian and slew every male also the five princes of Midian and Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.

Continue Reading The Book of Jasher 87 Moses appoints Joshua his successor. The Lord encourages Joshua. Moses teaches the children of Israel to Walk in the Way of the Lord. He goes up to Mount Abarim and dies there.

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