Numbers 25

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 25 of 36

1 And Israel dwelt in Shittim. And the people began to fornicate with the daughters of Moab.

2 And they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods. And the people ate and bowed themselves to their gods.

3 And Israel was joined to Baal-peor, and the anger of Jehovah burned against Israel,

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Chapter Summary

Israel commits fornication and idolatry with Moabite women at Shittim. God's anger burns against Israel. Phinehas kills an Israelite man and Midianite woman in their tent, stopping a plague that had killed 24,000. God rewards Phinehas with an everlasting covenant of priesthood and commands war against the Midianites.

Key Hebrew Words

זָנָה commit fornication H2181 · TWOT 563
מַגֵּפָה plague H4046 · TWOT 1294b
קָנָא be zealous H7065 · TWOT 2038
בְּרִית covenant H1285 · TWOT 282a
כָּפַר atone, make atonement H3722 · TWOT 1024
כְּהֻנָּה priesthood H3550 · TWOT 959b

People & Context

Phinehas

Grandson of Aaron who, zealous for God, pierces Zimri and Cozbi and stays the plague, earning a covenant of peace

Moses

Leader who relays Jehovah's command to execute those joined to Baal-peor

Zimri

Simeonite leader, son of Salu, who brings a Midianite woman into the camp and is killed by Phinehas

Cozbi

Midianite woman, daughter of Zur, slain with Zimri by Phinehas

Zur

Head of a Midianite father's house, father of Cozbi

Timeline

Israel's Harlotry with Moab and Baal-peor Worship

While staying in Shittim, Israelite men begin committing fornication with Moabite women. These women invite them to their sacrifices, leading Israel to yoke themselves to the worship of Baal-peor and inciting Jehovah's fierce anger.

Numbers 25:1-5
Phinehas Kills Zimri and Cozbi, Ending the Plague

An Israelite named Zimri brazenly brings a Midianite woman named Cozbi into the camp, prompting Phinehas the priest to spear them both through the belly. This zealous act stops a devastating plague that had already killed 24,000 Israelites.

Numbers 25:6-18
Baal-peor Incident

While dwelling in Shittim, the Israelites commit fornication with Moabite women and join themselves to the worship and sacrifices of Baal-peor. Jehovah's anger burns, and He commands the leaders to be hung and the offenders killed.

Numbers 25:1-5

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