Numbers 25:14

14 Now the name of the Israelite who was killed, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of a father's house among 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 give to him My covenant of peace;

13 and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.' "

14 Now the name of the Israelite who was killed, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of a father's house among the Simeonites.

15 And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a father's house in Midian.

16 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: