Numbers 25:1-5

Moab Seduces Israel

1 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women,

2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods.

3 So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.

4 The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”

5 So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”

Numbers 25:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 25

The contents of this chapter are, the sin of the people of Israel, their whoredom and idolatry, Nu 25:1-3, their punishment for it, multitudes being slain, Nu 25:4,5, whose number is given, Nu 25:9, the zeal of Phinehas in slaying two notorious offenders, Nu 25:6-8, whose names are observed, Nu 25:14,15 for which he is commended, and the covenant of priesthood was given and confirmed unto him, Nu 25:10-13, and the chapter is concluded with an order to vex the Midianites, for vexing Israel with their wiles, Nu 25:16-18.

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 21:16; Joshua 2:1; Isaiah 66:11; Joel 3:18; Micah 6:5
• 2. Jeremiah 5:7; Jeremiah 7:9; Jeremiah 9:2; 1 Corinthians 10:8; Revelation 2:14
• 3. S Genesis 19:37
• 4. Numbers 31:16
• 5. S Exodus 32:6; Exodus 34:15
• 6. Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 32:38; 1 Corinthians 10:20
• 7. Deuteronomy 4:19; Judges 2:19; 1 Kings 9:9; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 44:3
• 8. S Numbers 23:28; Psalms 106:28; Hosea 9:10
• 9. Numbers 7:2; Numbers 13:3
• 10. 2 Samuel 21:6
• 11. Deuteronomy 4:3
• 12. Exodus 32:12; Deuteronomy 13:17; Joshua 7:26; 2 Kings 23:26; 2 Chronicles 28:11; 2 Chronicles 29:10; 2 Chronicles 30:8; Ezra 10:14; Jeremiah 44:3
• 13. S Exodus 32:27
• 14. Hosea 9:10