Numbers 25:5

5 And Moses said to the tribes of Israel, Slay ye every one his friend that is consecrated to Beel-phegor.

Numbers 25:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 25:5

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel
Either the same with the heads of the people, or the rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, according to the distribution by the advice of Jethro:

slay ye everyone his men, that were joined unto Baalpeor;
all that were under their several districts and jurisdictions, that were found guilty of that crime; these they are ordered to slay, either with their own hands, or rather cause to be slain by proper persons they should appoint to be executioners.

Numbers 25:5 In-Context

3 And Israel consecrated themselves to Beel-phegor; and the Lord was very angry with Israel.

4 And the Lord said to Moses, Take all the princes of the people, and make them examples for the Lord in the face of the sun, and the anger of the Lord shall be turned away from Israel.

5 And Moses said to the tribes of Israel, Slay ye every one his friend that is consecrated to Beel-phegor.

6 And, behold, a man of the children of Israel came and brought his brother to a Madianitish woman before Moses, and before all the congregation of the children of Israel; and they were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of witness.

7 And Phinees the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, and rose out of the midst of the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand,