Zur was a notable figure in the Old Testament, recognized as one of the five princes of Midian. His account is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, where he is mentioned in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their encounters with neighboring nations.

Biblical Context and Role

Zur is introduced in the narrative of Numbers 25, during the incident at Peor. The Israelites, while camped at Shittim, began to engage in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, which led them to worship the Baal of Peor. This act of apostasy provoked the LORD's anger against Israel. Zur's daughter, Cozbi, played a significant role in this event. She was a Midianite woman who was brought into the Israelite camp by Zimri, a leader of a Simeonite family, in a blatant act of defiance against Moses and the covenantal laws of Israel.

The text in Numbers 25:15 identifies Cozbi as "the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family." This connection highlights Zur's status and influence within Midianite society. The involvement of his daughter in the seduction of the Israelites underscores the political and religious tensions between the Midianites and the Israelites.

Divine Retribution

In response to the sin at Peor, God commanded Moses to take action against the leaders of the people who had led Israel into sin. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, took decisive action by killing Zimri and Cozbi, which halted the plague that had broken out among the Israelites as a result of their sin. This act of zeal for the LORD's honor is recorded in Numbers 25:7-8.

Following this, God instructed Moses to treat the Midianites as enemies and strike them, as recorded in Numbers 25:16-18. This command was due to their role in leading Israel into sin through the counsel of Balaam and the incident at Peor.

The Defeat of Midian

The culmination of this divine directive is found in Numbers 31, where Moses leads the Israelites in a campaign against the Midianites. In this battle, the Israelites were victorious, and the five Midianite kings, including Zur, were killed. Numbers 31:8 states, "Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword."

This defeat of Midian and the death of its leaders, including Zur, served as a fulfillment of God's judgment against those who had led Israel into idolatry and immorality. It also demonstrated the seriousness with which God regarded the purity and faithfulness of His covenant people.

Legacy and Theological Significance

Zur's legacy is intertwined with the broader narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land and the challenges they faced in maintaining their covenantal identity amidst surrounding pagan influences. The account of Zur and the Midianite princes serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of leading God's people into sin and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands.

The account of Zur and the events at Peor are often referenced in discussions of idolatry, apostasy, and the zeal for holiness that God requires from His people. It underscores the theme of divine justice and the necessity of upholding the sanctity of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.Numbers 25:15,18
And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
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Numbers 31:8
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
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Joshua 13:21
And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
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