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inquiring of many people； and not like one that lives under
tyranny； to suffer the whole hope of my life to depend upon one
man； nor shall any one find cause to rejoice who declares himself
to have more authority over my actions than myself。〃
12。 Now when Zimri had said these things； about what he and some
others had wickedly done； the people held their peace； both out
of fear of what might come upon them； and because they saw that
their legislator was not willing to bring his insolence before
the public any further； or openly to contend with him； for he
avoided that； lest many should imitate the impudence of his
language； and thereby disturb the multitude。 Upon this the
assembly was dissolved。 However； the mischievous attempt had
proceeded further； if Zimri had not been first slain； which came
to pass on the following occasion： … Phineas； a man in other
respects better than the rest of the young men； and also one that
surpassed his contemporaries in the dignity of his father； （for
he was the son of Eleazar the high priest； and the grandson of
＇Aaron＇ Moses's brother；） who was greatly troubled at what was
done by Zimri； he resolved in earnest to inflict punishment on
him； before his unworthy behavior should grow stronger by
impunity； and in order to prevent this transgression from
proceeding further； which would happen if the ringleaders were
not punished。 He was of so great magnanimity； both in strength of
mind and body； that when he undertook any very dangerous attempt；
he did not leave it off till he overcame it； and got an entire
victory。 So he came into Zimri's tent； and slew him with his
javelin； and with it he slew Cozbi also； Upon which all those
young men that had a regard to virtue； and aimed to do a glorious
action； imitated Phineas's boldness； and slew those that were
found to be guilty of the same crime with Zimri。 Accordingly many
of those that had transgressed perished by the magnanimous valor
of these young men； and the rest all perished by a plague； which
distemper God himself inflicted upon them； so that all those
their kindred； who； instead of hindering them from such wicked
actions； as they ought to have done； had persuaded them to go on；
were esteemed by God as partners in their wickedness； and died。
Accordingly there perished out of the army no fewer than fourteen
（13） ＇twenty…four＇ thousand at this time。
13。 This was the cause why Moses was provoked to send an army to
destroy the Midianites； concerning which expedition we shall
speak presently； when we have first related what we have omitted；
for it is but just not to pass over our legislator's due
encomium； on account of his conduct here； because； although this
Balaam； who was sent for by the Midianites to curse the Hebrews；
and when he was hindered from doing it by Divine Providence； did
still suggest that advice to them； by making use of which our
enemies had well nigh corrupted the whole multitude of the
Hebrews with their wiles； till some of them were deeply infected
with their opinions； yet did he do him great honor； by setting
down his prophecies in writing。 And while it was in his power to
claim this glory to himself； and make men believe they were his
own predictions； there being no one that could be a witness
against him； and accuse him for so doing； he still gave his
attestation to him； and did him the honor to make mention of him
on this account。 But let every one think of these matters as he
pleases。
CHAPTER 7。
How The Hebrews Fought With The Midianites； And Overcame Them。
1。 Now Moses sent an army against the land of Midian； for the
causes forementioned； in all twelve thousand； taking an equal
number out of every
tribe； and appointed Phineas for their commander； of which
Phineas we made mention a little before； as he that had guarded
the laws of the Hebrews； and had inflicted punishment on Zimri
when he had transgressed them。 Now the Midianites perceived
beforehand how the Hebrews were coming； and would suddenly be
upon them： so they assembled their army together； and fortified
the entrances into their country； and there awaited the enemy's
coming。 When they were come； and they had joined battle with
them； an immense multitude of the Midianites fell； nor could they
be numbered； they were so very many： and among them fell all
their kings； five in number； viz。 Evi； Zur； Reba； Hur； and Rekem；
who was of the same name with a city； the chief and capital of
all Arabia； which is still now so called by the whole Arabian
nation； Arecem； from the name of the king that built it； but is
by the Greeks called … Petra。 Now when the enemies were
discomfited； the Hebrews spoiled their country； and took a great
prey； and destroyed the men that were its inhabitants； together
with the women； only they let the virgins alone； as Moses had
commanded Phineas to do； who indeed came back； bringing with him
an army that had received no harm； and a great deal of prey；
fifty…two thousand beeves； seventy…five thousand six hundred
sheep； sixty thousand asses； with an immense quantity of gold and
silver furniture； which the Midianites made use of in their
houses； for they were so wealthy； that they were very luxurious。
There were also led captive about thirty…two thousand virgins。
（14） So Moses parted the prey into parts； and gave one fiftieth
part to Eleazar and the two priests； and another fiftieth part to
the Levites； and distributed the rest of the prey among the
people。 After which they lived happily； as having obtained an
abundance of good things by their valor； and there being no
misfortune that attended them； or hindered their enjoyment of
that happiness。
2。 But Moses was now grown old； and appointed Joshua for his
successor； both to receive directions from God as a prophet； and
for a commander of the army； if they should at any time stand in
need of such a one； and this was done by the command of God； that
to him the care of the public should be committed。 Now Joshua had
been instructed in all those kinds of learning which concerned
the laws and God himself； and Moses had been his instructor。
3。 At this time it was that the two tribes of Gad and Reuben； and
the half tribe of Manasseh； abounded in a multitude of cattle； as
well as in all other kinds of prosperity； whence they had a
meeting； and in a body came and besought Moses to give them； as
their peculiar portion； that land of the Amorites which they had
taken by right of war； because it was fruitful； and good for
feeding of cattle； but Moses； supposing that they were afraid of
fighting with the Canaanites； and invented this provision for
their cattle as a handsome excuse for avoiding that war； he
called them arrant cowards； and said they had only contrived a
decent excuse for that cowardice； and that they had a mind to
live in luxury and ease； while all the rest were laboring with
great pains to obtain the land they were desirous to have； and
that they were not willing to march along； and undergo the
remaining hard service； whereby they were； under the Divine
promise； to pass over Jordan； and overcome those our enemies
which God had shown them； and so obtain their land。 But these
tr