Tyndale Open Study NotesNumbers 25

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).

• in Shittim: From here, Joshua later sent spies across the Jordan River, and the Hebrews began their conquest (Joshua 2:1; 3:1).

• daughters of Moab: The Moabites and the Midianites both shared responsibility for what happened with Balaam (Numbers 22:2–4, 7; 31:8, 15–16).

The Israelites participated in worship feasts associated with the gods of Moab (see Psalm 106:28).

• Baal of Peor might refer to Chemosh by another name (21:29). More likely, it refers to Baal, which means “lord.” Baal was a Canaanite god. The Moabites honored several gods, and Baal was probably one of them.

  Many place names include the name Baal, such as Baal-gad, Baal-hermon, Baal-meon, and Baal-peor. These names likely marked local shrines where people worshiped Baal in different forms.

  Peor was a mountain from which Balaam could see the camp of Israel in the plains of Moab. Nearby was a shrine called Beth-peor (23:28; 25:3, 5, 18; 31:16; Deuteronomy 3:29; 4:3, 46; 34:6; Joshua 13:20; 22:17).

• Israel’s worship of false gods made the Lord very angry. As a result, a plague broke out among the people (Numbers 25:8–9; 26:1; compare 11:1, 10; 12:9).

• As at Sinai, the Lord required quick justice (Exodus 32:27–28).

• execute them in broad daylight: They may have killed the guilty people and hung them on a pole. Then they would leave them in the sun so everyone could see and learn from their mistakes (see 2 Samuel 21:6, 9; compare 2 Samuel 12:12).

• In this event, another Israelite man made himself unclean by being with a foreign woman. Both Moabite and Midianite women were involved in this scandal (25:1–3, 16–18; 31:1–2).

  His sin was especially bold. He acted without shame, even though people around him were mourning because of God’s judgment.

• Some interpreters suggest that his tent may have been more than his personal dwelling. They think it may have been an unauthorized shrine connected with the worship of Yahweh. If so, this would have made his sin even more serious.

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).

Israel’s identity as the Lord’s people was in great danger because they were unfaithful at this time. Their sin threatened their special relationship with God.

Phinehas showed strong zeal (deep commitment and passion) for God’s holiness and justice. He acted in a way that matched God’s own concern for what is right. Because of this, God gave Phinehas and his descendants a special blessing.

God made a covenant of peace (a lasting promise of peace and favor) with Phinehas. The men in his family who were qualified could serve as priests forever (compare Malachi 2:5).

This covenant was unconditional (it did not depend on future actions). It was similar to the covenant God made with David (see Jeremiah 33:19–22).

The deaths of Zimri and Cozbi helped remove sin from the community of Israel. Their judgment stopped the spread of sin among the people.

Phinehas’s action had atoning value. This means it helped turn away God’s judgment and restore the people’s relationship with him. His act brought cleansing and peace to Israel (see study note on Leviticus 1:4).

Attack the Midianites and strike them dead: This war is recorded in chapter 31.