Keraia
Numbers 25

Numbers 25:8

The Zeal of Phinehas · Numbers 25:6–18
Read Numbers 25

Translations

Modern
…followed the Israelite into the tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman. So the plague against the Israelites was halted,
Traditional
And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
Literal
…and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust through the two of them, the man of Israel and the woman—through her body. And the plague was stopped among the sons of Israel.
Latin
…ingressus est post virum Israëlitem in lupanar, et perfodit ambos simul, virum scilicet et mulierem in locis genitalibus. Cessavitque plaga a filiis Israël:

Original

Hebrew
English
…followed the Israelite into the tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman. So the plague against the Israelites was halted,

Notes

Numbers 25:7–9

Phinehas, acting as a representative of the priestly family, killed Zimri and Cozbi with one thrust of a spear (25:7–8). The text likely suggests that they were engaged in sexual relations at that moment.

Phinehas acted with zeal, which means strong passion to defend God’s honor. His action brought the plague to an end (25:1–3).

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

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

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

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Decision: Phinehas 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 Phinehas: Religious Zeal of, in Killing the Israelitish Woman Who had Committed Abomination Religious Zeal: Phinehas Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Zimri: A Chief of Simeon