Numbers 25:1-5

Israelites and Moabites intermarry

1 When the Israelites lived at Shittim, the people made themselves impure by having illicit sex with Moabite women.

2 The Moabite women invited the people to the sacrifices for their god. So the people ate a meal, and they worshipped their god.

3 Israel became attached to the Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry at the Israelites.

4 The LORD said to Moses: Take all the leaders of the people and kill them on behalf of the LORD in broad daylight, so that the LORD's anger turns away from Israel.

5 Then Moses said to Israel's officials, "Each of you: kill your men who are attached 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.