Numbers 25:9

9 But the plague had already killed 24,000 of them.

Numbers 25:9 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 25:9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four
thousand.
] The apostle says 23,000 ( 1 Corinthians 10:8 ) . Moses includes those that were hanged against the sun, in the time of the plague, as well as those that were taken off by it, even all that died on this account; the apostle only those that "fell", which cannot with propriety be said of those that were hanged, who might be 1000 and so their numbers agree; but of this and other ways of removing this difficulty (See Gill on 1 Corinthians 10:8).

Numbers 25:9 In-Context

7 Phinehas was a priest. He was the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron. When Phinehas saw what had happened, he left the people. He took a spear in his hand.

8 He followed the man into a tent. Phinehas stuck the spear through both the man and the woman. Then the LORD stopped the plague against the people of Israel.

9 But the plague had already killed 24,000 of them.

10 The LORD spoke to Moses. He said,

11 "Phinehas is a priest. He is the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron. Phinehas has turned my anger away from the people of Israel. I am committed to making sure I am honored among them. And he is as committed as I am. Even though I was angry with them, I did not put an end to them.