Numbers 25:1-9

1 And Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab.

2 And they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods.

3 And Israel joined himself to Baal-Peor; and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel.

4 And Jehovah said to Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up to Jehovah before the sun, that the fierce anger of Jehovah may be turned away from Israel.

5 And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Slay every one his men that have joined themselves to Baal-Peor.

6 And behold, a man of the children of Israel came and brought a Midianitish woman to his brethren, in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of the whole assembly of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the entrance of the tent of meeting.

7 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, and rose up from among the assembly, and took a javelin in his hand,

8 and he went after the man of Israel into the tent-chamber, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. And the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

9 And those that died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.

Numbers 25:1-9 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'to the Baal of Peor.'