Bible Commentaries
Numbers 25

Verse 1

abode: i.e. till after Moses' death. Compare Joshua 2:1 ; Joshua 3:1 , and see Micah 6:5 .

Shittim. Called Abel-shittim in Numbers 33:49 .

with = to (Hebrew. 'el). Requiring the supply of the Ellipsis "to join themselves to", from Numbers 25:3 .

Verse 2

they: i.e. the daughters of Moab.

their. Feminine pronoun.

Verse 3

joined = yoked.

Baal-peor. Baal = Lord; Peor was the mountain on which he was worshipped (Numbers 25:18 . Joshua 22:17 ). Baal was a Moabitish idol, and those who called (Numbers 25:2 ) the Israelites were the prostitutes necessary for his worship by others. Compare Hosea 9:10 . Jeremiah 11:13 . Peor also means "opening", and may have relation to this "worship".

anger of the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah.

Verse 4

said. See note on Numbers 3:40 .

heads: i.e. chiefs or princes of the People. The number not stated here, but must have been 1,000, and included in the 24,000 of Numbers 25:9 , and excluded in 1 Corinthians 10:8 . The 23,000 mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:8 "fell in one day": the day of the plague, verses: Numbers 25:9 , Numbers 25:18 . And those who were hanged prior to that (verses: Numbers 25:4 , Numbers 25:5 ) are not included.

hang them up: i.e. impaled or nailed to a stake, as in crucifixion (Vulg, renders it "crucify", which means the same thing).

Verse 6

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

children = sons.

who = and they.

door = entrance. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .

tabernacle = tent.

Verse 7

Phinehas. Compare Psalms 106:30 .

Verse 8

tent. Hebrew. kubbah, a high and vaulted pleasure tent, used in the worship of Baal. Occurs only here.

belly. Hebrew. kobah, the part between the ribs, and loins. Occurs only here, for the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ).

Verse 9

twenty and four thousand. This includes the 1,000 previously "hanged" (verses:Numbers 25:4; Numbers 25:4 , Numbers 25:5 ), as well as those who died of the "plague". These must have been 23,000 of 1 Corinthians 10:8 , which "fell in one day".

Verse 10

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

Verse 13

he shall have it. See Psalms 106:30 , Psalms 106:31 , and Malachi 2:4 , Malachi 2:5 . Compare 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 . 1 Samuel 22:18 . 1 Kings 2:27 with 1 Samuel 14:17 . Also 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 . Ezra was of his line (Ezra 7:1 , Ezra 7:5 ).

everlasting priesthood. Restored to Phinehas, and remained with him, after Eli.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33 .

Verse 15

people = clan or tribe. Hebrew. 'ummoth. Occurs only here, Genesis 25:16 and Psalms 117:1 .

Verse 17

Vex. Compare Numbers 31:0 .

Verse 18

wiles = seductions. Hebrew. nekal. Occurs only here.

day: i.e. the "one day" of 1 Corinthians 10:8 .