Numbers 25:14

14 The name of the man of Israel who was struck with the Midianite woman [was] Zimri son of Salu, a leader of {the family} of the Simeonites.

Numbers 25:14 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 25:14

Now the name of the Israelite that was slain
By Phinehas, as before related:

[even] that was slain with the Midianitish woman;
who was slain also, both together with one thrust:

was Zimri, the son of Sela, a prince of a chief house among the
Simeonites;
or a prince of his father's house, or family; there were five families of the Simeonites, and this man was a prince of one of them, see ( Numbers 26:12 Numbers 26:13 ) though Josephus ^F8, and so the Samaritan Chronicle ^F9, make him to be a prince of the tribe of Simeon. His name is mentioned partly to the reproach of him, and partly for the honour of Phinehas, whose zeal and courage were such, that he feared not to take away the life of a person of such figure, authority, and interest among the people.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Antiqu. l. 4. c. 6. sect. 10.
F9 Apud Hottinger, Smegma Oriental, l. 1. c. 8. p. 448.

Numbers 25:14 In-Context

12 Therefore say, 'Behold, I [am] giving to him my covenant of peace,

13 and it will be for him and his {offspring} after him a covenant of an eternal priesthood because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the {Israelites}.'"

14 The name of the man of Israel who was struck with the Midianite woman [was] Zimri son of Salu, a leader of {the family} of the Simeonites.

15 The name of the Midianite woman who was struck [was] Cozbi daughter of Zur, {a leader} of [a] tribe of {the family} in Midian.

16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "the father's house" or "the ancestor's house"
• [b]. Hebrew "Simeonite"