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 i