3 And Israel H3478 joined H6775 himself unto Baalpeor: H1187 and the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was kindled H2734 against Israel. H3478
Is the iniquity H5771 of Peor H6465 too little H4592 for us, from which we are not cleansed H2891 until this day, H3117 although there was a plague H5063 in the congregation H5712 of the LORD, H3068
I found H4672 Israel H3478 like grapes H6025 in the wilderness; H4057 I saw H7200 your fathers H1 as the firstripe H1063 in the fig tree H8384 at her first time: H7225 but they went H935 to Baalpeor, H1187 and separated H5144 themselves unto that shame; H1322 and their abominations H8251 were according as they loved. H157
And Moses H4872 said H559 unto the judges H8199 of Israel, H3478 Slay H2026 ye every H376 one H376 his men H582 that were joined H6775 unto Baalpeor. H1187
Your eyes H5869 have seen H7200 what the LORD H3068 did H6213 because of Baalpeor: H1187 for all the men H376 that followed H310 H1980 Baalpeor, H1187 the LORD H3068 thy God H430 hath destroyed H8045 them from among H7130 you. But ye that did cleave H1695 unto the LORD H3068 your God H430 are alive H2416 every one of you this day. H3117
And the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was hot H2734 against Israel, H3478 and he delivered H5414 them into the hands H3027 of spoilers H8154 that spoiled H8155 them, and he sold H4376 them into the hands H3027 of their enemies H341 round about, H5439 so that they could H3201 not any longer H5750 stand H5975 before H6440 their enemies. H341
And the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was hot H2734 against Israel; H3478 and he said, H559 Because that this people H1471 hath transgressed H5674 my covenant H1285 which I commanded H6680 their fathers, H1 and have not hearkened H8085 unto my voice; H6963
Who knoweth H3045 the power H5797 of thine anger? H639 even according to thy fear, H3374 so is thy wrath. H5678
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue H8058 from thine heritage H5159 that I gave H5414 thee; and I will cause thee to serve H5647 thine enemies H341 in the land H776 which thou knowest H3045 not: for ye have kindled H6919 a fire H784 in mine anger, H639 which shall burn H3344 for H5704 ever. H5769
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Numbers 25
Commentary on Numbers 25 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 25
Nu 25:1-18. The Israelites' Whoredom and Idolatry with Moab.
1. Israel abode in Shittim—a verdant meadow, so called from a grove of acacia trees which lined the eastern side of the Jordan. (See Nu 33:49).
3. Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor—Baal was a general name for "lord," and Peor for a "mount" in Moab. The real name of the idol was Chemosh, and his rites of worship were celebrated by the grossest obscenity. In participating in this festival, then, the Israelites committed the double offense of idolatry and licentiousness.
4. The Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up—Israelite criminals, who were capitally punished, were first stoned or slain, and then gibbeted. The persons ordered here for execution were the principal delinquents in the Baal-peor outrage—the subordinate officers, rulers of tens or hundreds.
before the Lord—for vindicating the honor of the true God.
against the sun—that is, as a mark of public ignominy; but they were to be removed towards sunset (De 21:23).
5. judges of Israel—the seventy elders, who were commanded not only to superintend the execution within their respective jurisdictions, but to inflict the punishment with their own hands. (See on 1Sa 15:33).
6, 7. behold, one of the children of Israel … brought … a Midianitish woman—This flagitious act most probably occurred about the time when the order was given and before its execution.
who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle—Some of the rulers and well-disposed persons were deploring the dreadful wickedness of the people and supplicating the mercy of God to avert impending judgments.
8. the plague—some sudden and widespread mortality.
9. those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand—Only twenty-three thousand perished (1Co 10:8) from pestilence. Moses includes those who died by the execution of the judges [Nu 25:5].
11-13. Phinehas … hath turned my wrath away—This assurance was a signal mark of honor that the stain of blood, instead of defiling, confirmed him in office and that his posterity should continue as long as the national existence of Israel.
14. Zimri, … a prince … among the Simeonites—The slaughter of a man of such high rank is mentioned as a proof of the undaunted zeal of Phinehas, for there might be numerous avengers of his blood.
17. Vex the Midianites, and smite them—They seem to have been the most guilty parties. (Compare Nu 22:4; 31:8).
18. they vex you with their wiles—Instead of open war, they plot insidious ways of accomplishing your ruin by idolatry and corruption.
their sister—their countrywoman.