“One thousand from each and every tribe [elef lamateh elef lamateh], from all the tribes of Israel, you shall send to the army” (Numbers 31:4). “One thousand from each tribe [elef lamateh] from the thousands of Israel were provided, twelve thousand mobilized soldiers” (Numbers 31:5). “One thousand from each [and every] tribe.… [One thousand from each tribe]” – some say: He sent two thousand from each and every tribe; and some say: Three thousand from each and every tribe, twelve thousand guarding their weapons.
In their regard it is stated: “Your teeth are like a flock of ordered ewes…that are all paired” (Song of Songs 4:2). And there were twelve thousand for prayer. From where is it derived that it is so? It is as it is stated: “Elef lamateh elef lamateh” – that is twenty-four thousand.
“Elef lamateh from the thousands of Israel were provided” – that is another twelve thousand. What is “one thousand from each tribe from the thousands of Israel were provided [vayimasru]”?2The word vayimasru can be interpreted to mean they were handed over. Thus it is explained that they were handed over to somebody else, such that they were pairs. It is that they were provided to be partners for one another.3This was to avoid situations where a man would enter alone to take a woman captive.
Another matter: “Were provided” – against their will. Because the verse made Moses’ death contingent upon the vengeance against Midian, they said: ‘We will go to Midian, and Moses will die,’ and they refrained from going. The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Draw lots on the tribes, and they will be provided on their own.’