King James Version

What Does Numbers 25:6 Mean?

Numbers 25:6 in the King James Version says “And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses,...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 25:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.

5

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

6

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.

7

And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

8

And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

Read Numbers 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
An Israelite brazenly brought a Midianite woman to his family 'in the sight of Moses, and... all the congregation' while they mourned. This audacious sin during corporate repentance reveals hardness of heart and contempt for God's judgment. Some persist in rebellion even when warned by others' punishment. Phinehas's zealous response (verse 7-8) demonstrated that tolerating such defiance endangers everyone.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This incident occurred at the tabernacle door during communal weeping over the plague (verse 8). The man's action constituted deliberate provocation—not hidden sin but open defiance. His social position (later identified as a prince, verse 14) made his example especially dangerous.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to be 'zealous' for God's honor in contemporary context?
  2. How do you respond to open, defiant sin in the community of faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהִנֵּ֡ה1 of 22
H2009

lo!

אִישׁ֩2 of 22

“And behold one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּנֵֽי3 of 22

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל4 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בָּ֗א5 of 22

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיַּקְרֵ֤ב6 of 22

“and brought”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֶל7 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶחָיו֙8 of 22

“unto his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֶת9 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית10 of 22

“a Midianitish woman”

H4084

a midjanite or descendant (native) of midjan

וּלְעֵינֵ֖י11 of 22

“and in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

מֹשֶׁ֔ה12 of 22

“of Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וּלְעֵינֵ֖י13 of 22

“and in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָּל14 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲדַ֣ת15 of 22

“of all the congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

בְּנֵֽי16 of 22

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל17 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְהֵ֣מָּה18 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בֹכִ֔ים19 of 22

“who were weeping”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

פֶּ֖תַח20 of 22

“before the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

אֹ֥הֶל21 of 22

“of the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵֽד׃22 of 22

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 25:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 25:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 2:17Numbers 22:4Numbers 15:30-31Deuteronomy 29:19-21Jude 1:13Jeremiah 36:23

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