Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then an Israelite man brought into the camp a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. New Living Translation Just then one of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman into his tent, right before the eyes of Moses and all the people, as everyone was weeping at the entrance of the Tabernacle. English Standard Version And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. Berean Standard Bible Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. King James Bible And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. New King James Version And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. New American Standard Bible Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting. NASB 1995 Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting. NASB 1977 Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting. Legacy Standard Bible Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought near to his brothers a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting. Amplified Bible Then one of the Israelites came and presented to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of the Israelites, while they were weeping [over God’s judgment] at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle). Christian Standard Bible An Israelite man came bringing a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and the whole Israelite community while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Holman Christian Standard Bible An Israelite man came bringing a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and the whole Israelite community while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. American Standard Version And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting. Contemporary English Version Later, Moses and the people were at the sacred tent, crying, when one of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman to meet his family. English Revised Version And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting. GOD'S WORD® Translation One of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman to his brothers. He did this right in front of Moses and the whole community of Israel while they were crying at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Good News Translation One of the Israelites took a Midianite woman into his tent in the sight of Moses and the whole community, while they were mourning at the entrance of the Tent of the LORD's presence. International Standard Version That very moment, one of the Israelis arrived, bringing to his brothers one of the Midianite women, right in front of Moses and the entire community of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting! NET Bible Just then one of the Israelites came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the plain view of Moses and of the whole community of the Israelites, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting. New Heart English Bible Look, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Webster's Bible Translation And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJust then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. World English Bible Behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd behold, a man of the sons of Israel has come, and brings a Midianitess to his brothers before the eyes of Moses and before the eyes of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, who are weeping at the opening of the Tent of Meeting; Young's Literal Translation And lo, a man of the sons of Israel hath come, and bringeth in unto his brethren the Midianitess, before the eyes of Moses, and before the eyes of all the company of the sons of Israel, who are weeping at the opening of the tent of meeting; Smith's Literal Translation And behold, a man from the sons of Israel went, and he will bring to his brethren a Midianitess before the eyes of Moses, and before the eyes of all the assembly of the sons of Israel; and they were weeping at the door of the tent of appointment. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd behold one of the children of Israel went in before his brethren to a harlot of Madian, in the sight of Moses, and of all the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle. Catholic Public Domain Version And behold, one of the sons of Israel entered, in the sight of his brothers, to a prostitute of Midian, within view of Moses and of all the crowd of the sons of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle. New American Bible At this a certain Israelite came and brought in a Midianite woman to his kindred in the view of Moses and of the whole Israelite community, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting. New Revised Standard Version Just then one of the Israelites came and brought a Midianite woman into his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the Israelites, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd, behold, one of the men of the children of Israel came to his brethren, and then he went in to a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel while they were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And behold, a man from the children of Israel came and he approached before his brothers, and going in entered into a Midianite woman before the eyes of Moshe and before the eyes of all of the assembly of the children Israel, and they were weeping in the door of the Time Tabernacle. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting. Brenton Septuagint Translation And, behold, a man of the children of Israel came and brought his brother to a Madianitish woman before Moses, and before all the congregation of the children of Israel; and they were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of witness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Zeal of Phinehas6Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 7On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,… Cross References 1 Corinthians 10:8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Psalm 106:28-31 They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. / So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. / But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. ... Deuteronomy 4:3-4 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor. / But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you. Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved. 1 Kings 11:1-2 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. 2 Peter 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. Joshua 22:17 Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD. Judges 2:11-13 And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 2 Kings 17:7-12 All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ... Exodus 34:15-16 Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same. 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Ephesians 5:3-5 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Treasury of Scripture And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Phinehas Exodus 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families. Joshua 22:30,31 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them… Judges 20:28 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand. a javelin 1 Samuel 18:10,11 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand… 1 Samuel 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. Jump to Previous Children Congregation Door Doorway Israel Meeting Midianite Midianitish Moses Relatives Sight Tabernacle Tent WeepingJump to Next Children Congregation Door Doorway Israel Meeting Midianite Midianitish Moses Relatives Sight Tabernacle Tent WeepingNumbers 25 1. Israel at Shittim commit unfaithfulness and idolatry6. Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi 10. God therefore gives him an everlasting priesthood 16. The Midianites are to be troubled Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman This phrase highlights the immediate context of the Israelites' sin. The Israelite man, identified later as Zimri, son of Salu, a leader of a Simeonite family, brings a Midianite woman, Cozbi, daughter of a Midianite leader, into the camp. This act of bringing a foreign woman into the Israelite community was a direct violation of God's commands against intermarriage with pagan nations, which could lead to idolatry (Exodus 34:15-16, Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), and their involvement in leading Israel into sin is significant, as it shows the recurring theme of Israel's struggle with surrounding nations and their gods. in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were in a covenant relationship with Him. At this time, they were in the wilderness, journeying to the Promised Land. 2. Midianite Woman Represents the foreign influence and idolatry that was leading the Israelites astray. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah and often in conflict with Israel. 3. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. 4. Tent of Meeting The sacred place where God met with Moses and the Israelites. It symbolized God's presence among His people. 5. Congregation of Israel The assembly of the Israelites, who were witnesses to the events and were in a state of mourning due to the sin and its consequences. Teaching Points The Danger of CompromiseThe Israelites' sin began with compromise, leading to idolatry and immorality. Believers must guard against compromising their faith and values. The Role of Leadership Moses and the leaders were responsible for addressing sin within the community. Spiritual leaders today must confront sin with courage and wisdom. The Importance of Repentance The congregation was weeping, indicating sorrow for sin. True repentance involves turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness. The Influence of Culture The Midianite woman's presence highlights the influence of surrounding cultures. Christians must be vigilant in maintaining their distinct identity in Christ. God's Holiness and Judgment The event underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 25:6?2. How does Numbers 25:6 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 3. What can we learn from Phinehas' response to sin in Numbers 25:6? 4. How does Numbers 25:6 connect to the call for holiness in 1 Peter 1:16? 5. In what ways can we guard against idolatry in our own lives today? 6. How should church leaders address sin within the congregation, inspired by Numbers 25:6? 7. Why did an Israelite bring a Midianite woman into the camp in Numbers 25:6? 8. What does Numbers 25:6 reveal about Israelite attitudes towards intermarriage with other nations? 9. How does Numbers 25:6 reflect the broader theme of idolatry in the Old Testament? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 25? 11. Numbers 25:6–8: Why does God commend Phinehas for killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman, raising moral questions about vigilante violence? 12. What happened to the Midianite virgins in the Bible? 13. What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus? 14. Numbers 31:28–30: How does distributing people as spoils align with the broader biblical theme of human worth? What Does Numbers 25:6 Mean Just thenThe moment described is immediately after the leaders have been commanded to put to death those who yoked themselves to Baal of Peor (Numbers 25:4-5). The timing shows: • Sin often answers God’s call to repentance with fresh defiance (Genesis 4:7). • The contrast between judgment already falling (Numbers 25:9) and the brazen act about to occur is deliberate, underscoring hardness of heart (Hebrews 3:12-13). an Israelite man • This offender belongs to the covenant people, fully aware of God’s law (Exodus 19:5-6). • His identity illustrates that proximity to truth does not guarantee obedience (1 Corinthians 10:1-6). • Later verses name him as Zimri, a Simeonite leader (Numbers 25:14), showing that even leaders can model rebellion (James 3:1). brought to his family • “Family” (household, clan) signals he is introducing forbidden sin into the very center of communal life (Joshua 7:1). • Public endorsement of sin magnifies guilt (Isaiah 3:9). • It hints at potential intermarriage, already prohibited with idolatrous nations (Exodus 34:12-16). a Midianite woman • Midianites, like Moabites, have enticed Israel into both sexual immorality and idolatry (Numbers 25:1-2). • The woman, later named Cozbi, is a Midianite chief’s daughter (Numbers 25:15), implying political alliance through immorality (1 Kings 11:1-4). • Union with her pointed Israel away from covenant purity toward foreign gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). in the sight of Moses • Open defiance before the leader God appointed (Exodus 3:10) is a direct challenge to divine authority (Numbers 12:8). • It shows contempt for God-given order, paralleling Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16:1-3). • Moses’ presence underscores accountability; no sin is hidden (Hebrews 4:13). and the whole congregation of Israel • The act is public, forcing the entire nation to witness unrighteousness (1 Timothy 5:20). • Corporate life in Israel means individual sin affects all (Joshua 22:20). • It tests whether the congregation will tolerate or confront evil (Deuteronomy 13:12-18). while they were weeping • The assembly is mourning the plague and executing judgment (Joel 2:12-17). • Genuine repentance stands in stark contrast to the brazen couple (Psalm 51:17). • The juxtaposition teaches that true sorrow for sin must be matched by decisive separation from it (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting • The very place representing God’s holy presence (Exodus 29:42-46) becomes the backdrop for insolence. • Sin at the doorway to sanctuary desecrates worship (Ezekiel 8:5-6). • God swiftly vindicates His holiness through Phinehas’ zeal (Numbers 25:7-8; Malachi 2:4-5). summary Numbers 25:6 captures a shocking public act that flaunts covenant boundaries at the height of national repentance. An Israelite leader parades a Midianite princess before Moses, the grieving congregation, and the sanctuary itself, illustrating hardened rebellion. The scene warns that tolerated sin destroys communities, dishonors God’s presence, and demands righteous intervention. Holiness, not compromise, preserves God’s people. Verse 6. - A Midianitish woman. Rather, "the Midianitish woman." אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִית. Septuagint, τὴν Μαδιανίτην. The writer deals with an incident only too notorious, and which by the peculiar aggravation of its circumstances had fixed itself deeply in the popular memory. This is the first mention of the Midianites in connection with this affair, and it prepares us to learn without surprise that they were in reality the authors of this mischief. All the congregation,... who were weeping. According to the loose sense in which this expression is used throughout the Pentateuch, it evidently means that those who truly represented the nation, not only as a political, but also as a religions community, were gathered in this distress before the presence of their invisible King. They wept on account of the wrath of God provoked; probably also on account of the wrath of God already gone forth in the form of a pestilence.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Just then,וְהִנֵּ֡ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! an Israelite מִבְּנֵ֨י (mib·bə·nê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son man אִישׁ֩ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person brought וַיַּקְרֵ֤ב (way·yaq·rêḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7126: To come near, approach to his family אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) a Midianite woman הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית (ham·miḏ·yā·nîṯ) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4084: Midianite -- a descendant of Midian in the sight לְעֵינֵ֣י (lə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain of Moses מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver [and] וּלְעֵינֵ֖י (ū·lə·‘ê·nê) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain the whole כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every congregation עֲדַ֣ת (‘ă·ḏaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc while they וְהֵ֣מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They were weeping בֹכִ֔ים (ḇō·ḵîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan at the entrance פֶּ֖תַח (pe·ṯaḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way to the Tent אֹ֥הֶל (’ō·hel) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent of Meeting. מוֹעֵֽד׃ (mō·w·‘êḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting Links Numbers 25:6 NIVNumbers 25:6 NLT Numbers 25:6 ESV Numbers 25:6 NASB Numbers 25:6 KJV Numbers 25:6 BibleApps.com Numbers 25:6 Biblia Paralela Numbers 25:6 Chinese Bible Numbers 25:6 French Bible Numbers 25:6 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 25:6 Behold one of the children of Israel (Nu Num.) |
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