Baal of Peor and Phinehas
Numbers 25:1-18
Num.25.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשטים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויחל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לזנות: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- בנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Psalm 106:28-31 (allusion): Retells the Numbers 25 episode: Israel’s relations with Moabite women, joining to Baal‑Peor, and Phinehas’ zeal that turned away God’s wrath.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites the wilderness incident (sexual immorality at Peor) as an example/warning to Christians, referring to the heavy punishment that fell on many.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (thematic): Law prohibiting intermarriage with surrounding nations because foreign wives would lead Israelites into idolatry — parallels the causal link between foreign women and apostasy in Num 25:1.
- Judges 3:5-7 (thematic): Reports Israel living among and intermarrying with Canaanite peoples, which led them to serve their gods — a recurring theme of foreign marriages precipitating idolatry and judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to prostitute themselves with the women of Moab.
- Israel remained at Shittim, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.
Num.25.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקראן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- לעם: PREP
- לזבחי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אלהיהן: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,f,pl
- ויאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לאלהיהן: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,f,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 106:28-29 (quotation): Explicitly recounts the Peor episode: Israel 'yoked themselves to Baal of Peor' and 'ate sacrifices to the dead,' directly echoing the eating and bowing to foreign gods in Num 25:2.
- Exodus 32:6 (verbal): After the golden calf worship the people 'sat down to eat and drink,' paralleling the motif of communal eating at an idolatrous sacrifice and associated revelry.
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Describes Israel's recurring pattern of intermarriage with foreign women leading to service of Baal and Asherah—the same driver and outcome (idolatrous feasting and worship) as in Numbers 25.
- 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 (thematic): Paul warns that participation in pagan sacrifices is participation in demons' worship and that one cannot partake of the Lord's table and idols' table—thematising the moral and religious problem of eating at idol-feasts reflected in Num 25:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; the people ate, and they bowed down to their gods.
- The women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
Num.25.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצמד: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבעל: PREP
- פעור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 106:28-31 (quotation): Direct retelling of the Peor episode: Israel 'yoked themselves to Baal‑peor,' the LORD's wrath, and Phinehas' intervention are recounted as a historical judgment.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 (quotation): Paul cites the incident at Peor (sexual immorality and a resulting plague) as a historical warning to the church, explicitly alluding to the same event and its judgment.
- Revelation 2:14 (allusion): The church at Pergamum is criticized for holding the 'teaching of Balaam,' who led Israel into idolatry and sexual sin at Peor — an explicit theological link to Numbers 25.
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Describes Israel's recurring pattern of doing evil, serving Baal(s), and provoking the LORD's anger — thematically parallel to Israel's joining to Baal‑Peor and divine wrath in Numbers 25.
- Ezra 9:1-2 (thematic): Reports Israelite intermarriage with foreign women and the resulting religious corruption; parallels Numbers 25's link between improper unions with foreign women and turning to foreign cults.
Alternative generated candidates
- Israel clung to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against Israel.
- Israel joined himself to Baal‑Peor, and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
Num.25.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- ראשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והוקע: VERB,hiphil,imperative,2,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- נגד: PREP
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מישראל: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.32:27-28 (thematic): Following Israel’s idolatry at the golden calf God commands execution of sinners (the Levites slay about 3,000) to remove divine wrath—parallels Num 25’s command to execute offenders to turn away the Lord’s anger.
- Ps.106:28-31 (allusion): The psalm recounts the Baal‑Peor episode and praises Phinehas for stopping the plague; it explicitly alludes to the Num 25 narrative in which zeal and execution end God’s fury.
- Josh.7:10-26 (thematic): Achan’s hidden sin brings defeat and divine anger on Israel; God’s command to identify and execute the guilty and purge the camp to restore God’s favor echoes Num 25’s concern to remove offenders to avert wrath.
- Deut.13:12-18 (structural): Law concerning a city seducing Israel to idolatry—its inhabitants are to be put to the sword and the city destroyed to purge evil—paralleling Num 25’s imperative to remove idolatrous influence to turn away God’s anger.
- Ezek.9:4-6 (thematic): Vision of executioners marking and slaying those who profane the sanctuary so that judgment may be upon the guilty—parallels the motif of purging violators to satisfy/turn aside divine judgment in Num 25.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people and execute them before the LORD, opposite the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel."
- The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them before the LORD—before the sun—so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
Num.25.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שפטי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנשיו: NOUN,m,pl,poss:3,m,sg
- הנצמדים: VERB,ptc,qal,pl,m,def
- לבעל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.32.27-28 (verbal): Moses commands the Levites to slay those involved in the Golden Calf (’kill every man his brother’), a close verbal and functional parallel to ordering execution of those joined to Baal‑Peor.
- Deut.13.6-11 (thematic): Law prescribing capital punishment—even of close relatives or neighbors—for anyone who entices Israel to worship other gods, reflecting the same concern to purge idolatry from the community.
- Num.25.7-13 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Phinehas kills the Israelite man and Midianite woman, ending the plague—directly implements Moses’ command to execute those attached to Baal‑Peor.
- Num.31.7-18 (thematic): Moses orders the slaughter of the Midianite men (and treatment of women), another instance where Israel is commanded to execute foreign perpetrators associated with leading Israel into sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you put to death the men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor."
- Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you put to death his men who are attached to Baal‑Peor.”
Num.25.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המדינית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולעיני: CONJ
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והמה: CONJ,PRON,3,pl
- בכים: VERB,qal,part,3,pl,m
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 106:28-31 (allusion): Direct Old Testament recollection of the same Peor/Midian episode; recounts Israel's joining to Baal of Peor and praises Phinehas' zeal that stopped the plague.
- Numbers 25:7-8 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Phinehas' violent intervention (killing the Israelite and the Midianite woman) as the divinely sanctioned response to the act described in 25:6.
- 1 Kings 18:17-40 (thematic): Elijah's confrontation with Baal worship on Mount Carmel parallels the theme of prophetic/zealous, public action to denounce idolatry and execute judgment on those promoting foreign cults.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (thematic): Law forbidding intermarriage with Canaanite nations because such unions lead Israel to worship other gods; parallels the causal link in Num 25 between sexual/communal mingling with foreign women and idolatrous apostasy.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, an Israelite came and brought into the camp a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the people of Israel—while the people were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- And behold, an Israelite man came and brought a Midianite woman to his kinsmen, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
Num.25.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פינחס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מתוך: PREP
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רמח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 106:30-31 (quotation): Direct retrospective reference to Phinehas' act of zeal — Psalm recounts that Phinehas 'stood up' and executed judgment, and so the plague was stopped, explicitly linking to Numbers 25.
- Deuteronomy 13:6-11 (thematic): Legal precedent for violent action against those who entice Israel to idolatry; provides the covenantal/legislative background for removing idolatrous influence from the community.
- Joshua 7:25 (thematic): Achan’s execution for covenant breach — like Phinehas’ killing, this is an instance where execution of a transgressor in the camp is used to purge sin and halt divine wrath.
- 1 Kings 18:40 (thematic): Elijah’s summary execution of the prophets of Baal after the confrontation on Carmel — another prophetic/zealous act of violence aimed at eradicating idolatry and vindicating YHWH.
Alternative generated candidates
- Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest saw it, and he rose from among the congregation and took a spear in his hand.
- Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest saw it; and he rose from the midst of the assembly and took a spear in his hand.
Num.25.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחר: PREP
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הקבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וידקר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- קבתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3f
- ותעצר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- המגפה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מעל: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 25:6–9 (structural): Immediate narrative context — verses 6–7 describe the man being brought to Moses and Phinehas taking the spear; verse 9 reports the plague’s death toll. Same pericope as v.8.
- Psalm 106:30–31 (quotation): The psalm recounts the Baal‑Peor incident and explicitly praises Phinehas for ‘executing judgment’ so that the plague was stayed — a direct retelling of Num 25:7–8.
- Exodus 32:27–28 (thematic): The Levites execute summary violence against idolaters (killing about 3,000) to avert further divine wrath — a parallel case of violent zeal within Israel ending divine punishment.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 (allusion): Paul cites Israel’s sexual immorality and mass death as a warning (’in one day 23,000 fell’), echoing the Numbers account of immorality at Peor and the resulting deaths stopped by Phinehas’s act.
Alternative generated candidates
- He went after the Israelite into the tent and pierced both of them—the Israelite and the woman through her belly—and the plague was stopped from Israel.
- He followed the Israelite into the inner chamber and pierced both the Israelite and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague was stayed from the people of Israel.
Num.25.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- המתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- במגפה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ארבעה: NUM,card,m,sg
- ועשרים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 25:4-8 (structural): Immediate context: describes the offense (sex with Moabite women and Baal‑peor worship), Phinehas's zeal (slaying the leaders) and the stopping of the plague that had caused the deaths counted in v.9.
- Numbers 16:49 (verbal): Another Israelite plague counted in Numbers (14,700 dead); parallels in theme and formulaic reporting of divine plague casualties.
- Psalm 106:28-31 (allusion): Poetic retelling of the Baal‑peor incident: recounts Israel's sin, the plague that broke out, and Phinehas's action that turned away God's wrath—directly echoes Num.25.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 (quotation): Paul cites the Baal‑peor episode to warn against sexual immorality, referring to the plague and a numeric casualty (he reports 23,000), thus explicitly alluding to Num.25's event.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.
- Those who died in the plague were twenty‑four thousand.
Num.25.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 25:11-13 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the speech introduced in v.10: God speaks to Moses to commend Phinehas and establish a covenant of priesthood and peace — direct resolution of the incident that prompted the address.
- Exodus 3:10 (structural): Another formulaic divine address to Moses initiating a commission ('Come, I will send you...'). Parallels the same pattern of 'The LORD spoke to Moses, saying' that frames authoritative instruction.
- Exodus 32:7-14 (thematic): God speaks to Moses about Israel's sin (the golden calf) and instructs him how to respond/intercede — similar situation where God briefs Moses about communal sin and its consequences.
- Numbers 16:20-22 (thematic): God speaks to Moses (and Aaron) concerning Korah's rebellion and impending judgment. Parallels the pattern of God addressing Moses to announce judgment and directives after a crisis of communal disobedience.
- Numbers 27:12-14 (thematic): God speaks to Moses about the consequences of his action at Meribah and appoints his successor (Joshua). Like Num 25:10, it is a direct divine address to Moses regarding leadership, accountability, and the community's future.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Num.25.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פינחס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השיב: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חמתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1s
- מעל: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקנאו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3s,prep
- את: PRT,acc
- קנאתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1s
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- כליתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקנאתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1s,prep
Parallels
- Numbers 25:6-8 (structural): Immediate narrative context describing Phinehas's act (spearing the Israelite man and Midianite woman) that stopped the plague—same event continued in v.11.
- Psalm 106:30-31 (quotation): Retells the Phinehas episode: Phinehas's zeal halted the plague and was reckoned to him for righteousness—language and theological assessment echo Num 25:11.
- Exodus 32:25-29 (thematic): After the golden calf incident the Levites execute judgment on idolaters; thematically parallels individual/tribal zeal that averts greater divine wrath against Israel.
- Exodus 34:14 (verbal): Declares Yahweh a 'jealous' God—echoes Num 25:11's use of divine 'jealousy' (קנאה) as motive for judgment and for the response credited to Phinehas.
- Zechariah 1:14 (verbal): God declares, 'I am jealous for Jerusalem... with great jealousy,' using the same motif/language of divine jealousy that frames the punishment and deliverance in Num 25:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest has turned my wrath away from the people of Israel, because he was zealous with my zeal among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my zeal.
- “Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, because he was jealous for my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy.
Num.25.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתי: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 106:30-31 (quotation): Retells the Phinehas incident and its reward, saying his action was accounted to him for righteousness for all generations—closely tied to God’s granting of the covenant of peace in Num 25:12.
- Ezekiel 37:26 (verbal): God promises 'a covenant of peace' with Israel as part of restoration language—uses the same phrase and concept of a divinely given covenant of peace.
- Isaiah 54:10 (verbal): Speaks of 'my covenant of peace' that will not be removed despite upheaval—echoes the terminology and enduring nature of God’s peace-covenant found in Num 25:12.
- Judges 6:24 (thematic): Gideon names an altar 'YHWH‑Shalom' (The LORD is Peace), reflecting the theological theme of God as giver/restorer of peace parallel to the promise of a 'covenant of peace' to Phinehas.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore say, 'Behold, I give him my covenant of peace.'"
- Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him my covenant of peace.’”
Num.25.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ולזרעו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כהנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחת: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קנא: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- לאלהיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,m,sg
- ויכפר: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Num.25.11 (verbal): Immediate context: God declares that Phinehas 'turned back My wrath' and thus grants the covenant of priesthood — direct cause-and-effect language echoed in 25:13.
- Ps.106:30-31 (quotation): The psalm recounts the Phinehas episode and explicitly states that his action was 'counted to him for righteousness' and that to him and his descendants was given 'the covenant of an everlasting priesthood' — a direct retelling/quotation of Num 25:13.
- Exod.29:9 (verbal): The ordination formula for Aaron and his sons establishes a statute for him and his seed — parallels Num 25:13's language of priestly covenant and succession (everlasting priesthood for descendants).
- 1 Chr.6:50-53 (structural): Priestly genealogies trace the descendants of Eleazar and Phinehas who serve as priests, reflecting the long-term, hereditary priesthood promised in Num 25:13 (’to him and to his seed after him’).
Alternative generated candidates
- "And it shall be for him and for his offspring after him a covenant of perpetual priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel."
- “It shall be to him and to his descendants after him a covenant of perpetual priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.”
Num.25.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המדינית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- זמרי: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סלוא: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- נשיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשמעני: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
Parallels
- Numbers 25:6-8 (structural): Immediate narrative of the same incident: a Israelite brings a Midianite woman into the camp and Phinehas kills the pair; these verses give the action and its deadly consequence to which Num. 25:14’s naming of the slain (Zimri) directly belongs.
- Numbers 25:11-13 (structural): Continuation of the episode that rewards Phinehas for his act (covenant of peace and priestly grant); provides the theological and narrative aftermath connected to the killing of Zimri.
- Numbers 31:15-16 (thematic): Moses’ later summary blaming Midian for seducing Israel into the Peor sin and ordering war against Midian—this passage treats the broader consequences of the same Baal‑Peor episode in which Zimri’s act occurred.
- Psalm 106:28-31 (allusion): Psalm retells the Baal‑Peor incident and praises Phinehas’ zeal in executing judgment on the adulterous pair; it explicitly alludes to the killing that Num. 25:14 identifies.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 (thematic): Paul’s New Testament warning cites the wilderness episode of sexual immorality and divine punishment (the 23,000 who fell), alluding to the same event surrounding Zimri and the Midianite woman as a moral example.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, a head of a father's household among the Simeonites.
- Now the name of the Israelite who was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri son of Salu, a leader of a father’s house among the Simeonites.
Num.25.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המדינית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- כזבי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- צור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במדין: PREP
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 25:6-8 (verbal): Immediate narrative context that names Zimri (the Israelite) and describes Phinehas’ killing of Zimri and Cozbi; directly connected to the identification of Cozbi in v.15.
- Psalm 106:28-31 (allusion): Retells the Baal‑Peor episode and Phinehas’ zeal (the killing that stopped the plague); Psalm 106 alludes to the same incident and its outcome reflected in Num 25.
- Numbers 31:15-18 (thematic): After the Midianite campaign Moses condemns Midianite women for leading Israel into sin (Baal‑Peor); this passage treats the wider consequences of the same Midianite seduction that included Cozbi.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (thematic): God’s prohibition against intermarriage with Canaanite/foreign women because they lead Israel to idolatry parallels the moral/ritual concern behind naming Cozbi and condemning the Baal‑Peor liaison.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi daughter of Zur, a chief of a father's household in Midian.
- And the name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Kozbi daughter of Zur, a chief’s daughter of the leaders of a father’s house in Midian.
Num.25.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exod.25.1 (verbal): Identical introductory formula ('And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying') introducing a major block of instructions (here: offerings and the tabernacle).
- Num.1.1 (verbal): Same divine-speech formula at the start of a new section (the census and organization of Israel), functioning as a structural marker for law/instruction.
- Num.4.1 (verbal): Very similar wording ('And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying'), introducing priestly/Levitical regulations—shows recurring use of the formula to deliver cultic legislation.
- Lev.1.1 (thematic): Different wording ('And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him...') but the same function: divine address to Moses to introduce sacrificial/priestly law; thematically parallels Num 25:16's role as a divine command introduction.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Num.25.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- צרור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המדינים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והכיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
Parallels
- Numbers 31:1-7 (quotation): Direct continuation/fulfillment: God’s command to attack Midian in 25:17 is reiterated and carried out in the narrative of Numbers 31 (Moses commands Israel to take vengeance and they smite Midian).
- Judges 6:1–8:28 (thematic): The cycle of Midianite oppression and Israelite deliverance under Gideon parallels the theme of conflict with Midian—enemy incursion, divine mandate to fight, and decisive military defeat of Midianite forces.
- Psalm 83:9-11 (allusion): The psalm invokes past divine defeats of Israel’s foes—‘Do to them as you did to Midian’—alluding to Israel’s warfare against Midian as a model for God’s action against current enemies.
- Deuteronomy 2:31-35 (thematic): God‑commanded military action against neighboring peoples (Sihon and Og) parallels the legal/theological pattern in which God directs Israel to smite hostile nations, comparable to the command concerning Midian.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Harass the Midianites and strike them;
- “Harass the Midianites and strike them;
Num.25.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- צררים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- בנכליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נכלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כזבי: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- נשיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מדין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחתם: NOUN,f,sg,poss:3,m,pl
- המכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- המגפה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 25:1-9 (structural): Immediate narrative of the Peor episode: Israelite men consort with Moabite/Midianite women, join in Baal‑Peor worship, a plague breaks out, and Phinehas kills the Midianite woman (Cozbi) and her Israelite partner.
- Numbers 25:6-8 (verbal): Specifically names the killing of Cozbi and Phinehas’ act that stopped the plague — the same event alluded to in 25:18 ('the one who struck on the day of the plague concerning Peor').
- Numbers 31:15-16 (allusion): Moses attributes Israel’s sin at Peor to Midianite women acting on Balaam’s counsel; ties the Peor incident to the later punitive expedition against Midian.
- Psalm 106:28-31 (thematic): Retroactive retelling of the Peor incident: Israel joins Baal‑Peor, God’s anger brings a plague, and Phinehas’ zeal is praised for stopping the plague (parallels Numbers’ judgment and Phinehas’ role).
- 1 Corinthians 10:8-9 (thematic): Paul cites the Peor episode (sexual immorality and divine judgment) as an example and warning to his readers about idolatry and sexual sin leading to God’s judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- for they are your adversaries by their schemes, by which they deceived you concerning Peor and in the matter of Cozbi daughter of Zur, a chief of Midian—she who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor."
- for they were enemies to you by their craft—by the cunning with which they deceived you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Kozbi, daughter of a leader of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor.”
Israel remained at Shittim, and the people began to prostitute themselves with the daughters of Moab.
They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; the people ate, and they bowed down to their gods.
Israel yoked themselves to Baal‑Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against Israel.
The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people and impale them before the LORD, in the sight of the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel."
Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you put to death those of his men who are attached to Baal‑Peor." And behold, an Israelite came and brought a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest saw it; and he rose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand.
He went after the Israelite into the tent and pierced both of them—the Israelite and the woman—through her belly; and the plague was stayed from the people of Israel.
Those struck down in the plague were twenty‑four thousand.
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
"Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, because he was zealous for my zeal among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy.
Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him my covenant of peace.’" And it shall be to him and to his descendants after him a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel." Now the name of the Israelite who was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri son of Salu, a chief of a father's house among the Simeonites.
The name of the woman who was slain was Cozbi daughter of Zur, a head of a father's house among the Midianites.
The LORD said to Moses,
"Pursue the Midianites and strike them down.
For they were a snare to you by their craftiness, with which they beguiled you in the affair of Peor and in the affair of Cozbi daughter of Zur, a head of a father's house of Midian—she was the one who was slain on the day of the plague because of Peor."