Bamidbar 25:14

14 Now the shem of the ish Yisroel that was slain, even that was slain with the woman from Midyan, was Zimri ben Salu, a leader of one of the clans from the tribe of Shimon.

Bamidbar 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.

Bamidbar 25:14 In-Context

12 Therefore say, Hineni, I am making unto him My Brit (Covenant) of Shalom;

13 And he shall have it, and his zera after him, even the Brit Kehunat Olam; because he had kanous for Elohav, and made kapporah for the Bnei Yisroel.

14 Now the shem of the ish Yisroel that was slain, even that was slain with the woman from Midyan, was Zimri ben Salu, a leader of one of the clans from the tribe of Shimon.

15 And the shem of the isha from Midyan that was slain was Kozbi bat Tzur; he [Tzur] was rosh over the people in one of the clans of Midyan.

16 And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,