Lexical Summary Zimriy: Zimri Original Word: זִמְרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zimri From zamar; musical; Zimri, the name of five Israelites, and of an Arabian tribe -- Zimri. see HEBREW zamar Brown-Driver-Briggs I. זִמְרִי proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Ζαμβρ(ε)ι — 1 a Simeonite Numbers 25:14 (P). 2 grandson of Judah2Chron 2:6 (app. = זַבְדִּי Joshua 7:1 q. v.) 3 king of Israel before Omri 1 Kings 16:9,10,12,15,16,18,20; 2 Kings 9:31. 4 a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:36 (twice in verse) = 1 Chronicles 9:42 (twice in verse). II. זִמְרִי proper name, of a people or patr., only ׳מַלְכֵי ז Jeremiah 25:25 (+ מלכי עֵילָם and מלכי מָדָ֑י); = Σεμβρῖται in Ethiopia (Straboxvii, i. 786) ? compare Gf; omitted by ᵐ5; interpolation according to Kue Gie. Topical Lexicon Overview Zimri (Strong’s Hebrew 2174, זִמְרִי) appears fifteen times in the Old Testament, designating several individuals, one short-lived monarch, a Simeonite prince, a Benjamite and Judahite in post-exilic genealogies, and a Gentile nation cited in prophetic judgment. Although the name is shared, each occurrence conveys distinct historical contexts and theological lessons concerning covenant loyalty, divine retribution, and the fleeting nature of human authority. Zimri Son of Salu: Warning against Covenant Infidelity Numbers 25:14 names Zimri as “the leader of a Simeonite family” who brazenly took the Midianite woman Cozbi into the camp at Peor. Their public immorality, coupled with idolatrous worship, provoked the LORD’s wrath and a deadly plague upon Israel. The decisive act of Phinehas, who “drove the spear through both of them” (Numbers 25:8), halted the plague and secured a covenant of perpetual priesthood for his line. Zimri thus serves as an enduring cautionary example of how tolerance of sin within the covenant community invites judgment, while zealous holiness averts national disaster (Psalm 106:28-31). Key ministry applications: Zimri King of Israel: The Seven-Day Dynasty 1 Kings 16 records a dramatic coup during the reign of Elah son of Baasha. “Zimri, commander of half the chariots, conspired against Elah” (1 Kings 16:9). After murdering the king and exterminating the entire house of Baasha “according to the word of the LORD” (verse 12), Zimri occupied the throne in Tirzah. His reign, however, lasted only seven days. When the army acclaimed Omri as king, Zimri recognized defeat, retreated into the royal citadel, and “set the palace on fire around him and died” (1 Kings 16:18). Scripture twice summarizes his legacy: “because of the sins he had committed” (verses 19-20). The episode illustrates: Jezebel’s Taunt to Jehu: “Is it peace, Zimri?” Centuries later Jezebel invokes Zimri’s name when Jehu enters Jezreel: “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?” (2 Kings 9:31). The queen weaponizes the infamy of the seven-day king to deride Jehu’s coup as treacherous and doomed. Ironically, Jehu’s revolt was commanded by God (2 Kings 9:6-10) and succeeded precisely where Zimri failed, again demonstrating that divine mandate—not mere ambition—determines the outcome of power struggles. Genealogical Bearers of the Name 1 Chronicles twice lists a Zimri among the sons of Zerah, the fifth son of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:6) and four times within Benjamin’s line (1 Chronicles 8:36; 9:42, duplicated for parallel genealogies). These notices affirm the historical rootedness of Israel’s clans after the exile and the preservation of tribal identities essential for covenant continuity and messianic lineage. Pastoral insight: even obscure names in genealogies testify to God’s meticulous care for His people’s record, underscoring individual significance within redemptive history. Zimri in Jeremiah’s Foreign-Nation Oracle Jeremiah 25:25 lists “all the kings of Zimri” among nations destined to drink the cup of divine wrath. Likely a north-Arabian or Median people group, its inclusion reinforces the universality of God’s judgment: no nation escapes accountability. The prophetic sweep anticipates the eschatological day when “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10). Theological Themes 1. Covenant Holiness: Zimri’s sin at Peor contrasts with Phinehas’ zeal, highlighting the necessity of separation from idolatry (2 Corinthians 6:17). Ministry Significance Today • Leaders must guard personal holiness; private compromise can precipitate corporate disaster. Forms and Transliterations וְזִמְרִ֖י וזמרי זִ֠מְרִי זִמְרִ֑י זִמְרִ֔י זִמְרִ֖י זִמְרִ֗י זִמְרִ֛י זִמְרִי֙ זמרי vezimRi wə·zim·rî wəzimrî zim·rî zimRi zimrîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 25:14 HEB: אֶת־ הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית זִמְרִ֖י בֶּן־ סָל֑וּא NAS: with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son KJV: with the Midianitish woman, [was] Zimri, the son INT: with the Midianite was Zimri the son of Salu 1 Kings 16:9 1 Kings 16:10 1 Kings 16:12 1 Kings 16:15 1 Kings 16:16 1 Kings 16:18 1 Kings 16:20 2 Kings 9:31 1 Chronicles 2:6 1 Chronicles 8:36 1 Chronicles 8:36 1 Chronicles 9:42 1 Chronicles 9:42 Jeremiah 25:25 15 Occurrences |
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