Numbers 25:6

Translations

Modern

Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Traditional

And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Literal

And indeed, one of the sons of Israel came and presented to his brothers a Midianitess before the eyes of Moses and before the eyes of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they were weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

Latin

Et ecce unus de filiis Israël intravit coram fratribus suis ad scortum Madianitidem, vidente Moyse, et omni turba filiorum Israël, qui flebant ante fores tabernaculi.

Original

Hebrew

English

Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Notes

Numbers 25:6

In this event, another Israelite man made himself unclean by being with a foreign woman. Both Moabite and Midianite women were involved in this scandal (25:1–3, 16–18; 31:1–2).
His sin was especially bold. He acted without shame, even though people around him were mourning because of God’s judgment.
Some interpreters suggest that his tent may have been more than his personal dwelling. They think it may have been an unauthorized shrine connected with the worship of Yahweh. If so, this would have made his sin even more serious.

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 Holy War Purity and Identity

Related verses

Joel 2:17
Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
Numbers 22:4
So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,
Isaiah 22:12
On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
Jeremiah 36:23
And as soon as Jehudi had read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut them off with a scribe’s knife and throw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll had been consumed by the fire.
Ezekiel 9:4–6
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”
Numbers 31:9–16
The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.
Judges 2:4
When the angel of the LORD had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.
Ezra 10:6–9
Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. And while he stayed there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.
Jeremiah 8:12
Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse, says the LORD.
Deuteronomy 29:19–21
…because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.
Numbers 31:2
“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.”
Jeremiah 44:16–17
“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Midian: A nation descended from Abraham; oppressed Israel in the time of the judges

Glossary

Areli, Arelite Balaam Deuteronomy, Book of Idols, Idolatry Joshua, Book of Midian, Midianite Moab, Moabites Numbers, Book of Peor (Place) Shittim (Place)

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague Fellowship with the Wicked Israel: Punished by a Plague in Consequence, Twenty-Four Thousand People Die Midianites with the Moabites: Seduced Israel to Idolatry Tabernacle: Israelites Worship At Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Zimri: A Chief of Simeon

Numbers 25:6

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

People

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics