Numbers 25:5

Translations

Modern

So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

Traditional

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal–peor.

Literal

And Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each man must kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor.”

Latin

Dixitque Moyses ad judices Israël: Occidat unusquisque proximos suos, qui initiati sunt Beelphegor.

Original

Hebrew

English

So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

Notes

Numbers 25:1–18

Israel was camped across the Jordan River from Jericho. They were almost ready to enter the land and begin the conquest. However, at this important moment, they fell into serious sin.

Balaam advised Israel’s enemies to lead the people into sexual immorality and idolatry at Baal-peor (31:16).

He could not harm Israel with a curse, so he chose another way. He led them into sin through lust and the worship of false gods.

The early church faced similar temptations. Believers were warned about idolatry and sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11).

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Eleazar Moses Holy War Purity and Identity

Related verses

Exodus 18:21
Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
1 Kings 18:40
Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.
Deuteronomy 13:13
…that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
Exodus 22:20
If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.
Deuteronomy 13:9
Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.
Deuteronomy 13:6
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known,
Exodus 32:27–28
He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’”
Deuteronomy 17:3–5
…and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—
Deuteronomy 13:15
…you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.
Exodus 18:25–26
So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Parallels

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

People

Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant" Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Balaam Beth-Peor Deuteronomy, Book of Gods and Goddesses Idols, Idolatry Joshua, Book of Midian, Midianite Moab, Moabites Numbers, Book of Peor (Deity) Peor (Place) Shittim (Place)

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Baal-Peor: An Idol of Moab Fellowship with the Wicked Israel: Commit Idolatry with the People of Moab Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Israel Punished Judgments: Upon the Israelites for Complaining Midianites with the Moabites: Seduced Israel to Idolatry

Numbers 25:5

Translations?

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Related verses?

Parallels?