Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible Commentaries
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Commentary Critical
Copyright Statement
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
Bibliographical Information
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Numbers 25". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/numbers-25.html. 1871-8.
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Numbers 25". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (44)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (2)
Introduction
CHAPTER 25
:-. THE ISRAELITES' WHOREDOM AND IDOLATRY WITH MOAB.
Verse 1
1. Israel abode in Shittimâa verdant meadow, so called from a grove of acacia trees which lined the eastern side of the Jordan. (See :-).
Verse 3
3. Israel joined himself unto Baal-peorâBaal 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.
Verse 4
4. The Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them upâIsraelite 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 outrageâthe subordinate officers, rulers of tens or hundreds.
before the Lordâfor vindicating the honor of the true God.
against the sunâthat is, as a mark of public ignominy; but they were to be removed towards sunset (Deuteronomy 21:23).
Verse 5
5. judges of Israelâthe 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 :-).
Verse 6
6, 7. behold, one of the children of Israel . . . brought . . . a Midianitish womanâThis 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 tabernacleâSome 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.
Verse 8
8. the plagueâsome sudden and widespread mortality.
Verse 9
9. those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousandâOnly twenty-three thousand perished (1 Corinthians 10:8) from pestilence. Moses includes those who died by the execution of the judges [Numbers 25:5].
Verse 11
11-13. Phinehas . . . hath turned my wrath awayâThis 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.
Verse 14
14. Zimri, . . . a prince . . . among the SimeonitesâThe 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.
Verse 17
17. Vex the Midianites, and smite themâThey seem to have been the most guilty parties. (Compare Numbers 22:4; Numbers 31:8).
Verse 18
18. they vex you with their wilesâInstead of open war, they plot insidious ways of accomplishing your ruin by idolatry and corruption.
their sisterâtheir countrywoman.