King James Version

What Does Numbers 25:8 Mean?

Numbers 25:8 in the King James Version says “And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman thr...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 25:8 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

10

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Read Numbers 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 8 describes the execution in graphic detail—'and thrust both of them through.' The specificity emphasizes the seriousness and publicity of the judgment. Scripture doesn't sanitize or romanticize the cost of maintaining covenant purity. Real consequences for real sin preserve the community. This sobering account warns that God takes His holiness seriously.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The names of both offenders are given (verse 14-15): Zimri, a Simeonite prince, and Cozbi, daughter of a Midianite chief. Their high social status made their sin especially influential and their judgment especially necessary. Leadership amplifies both the danger of sin and the importance of its judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Scripture's unflinching account of sin's consequences affect your view of holiness?
  2. What sins are you tempted to minimize that God takes with deadly seriousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַ֠יָּבֹא1 of 21

“And he went”

H935

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

אַחַ֨ר2 of 21

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אִ֣ישׁ3 of 21

“of them through the man”

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)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃4 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אֶל5 of 21

“through”

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקֻּבָּ֗ה6 of 21

“into the tent”

H6898

a pavilion (as a domed cavity)

וַיִּדְקֹר֙7 of 21

“and thrust”

H1856

to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile

אֶת8 of 21
H853

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

שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 21

“both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֵ֚ת10 of 21
H853

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

אִ֣ישׁ11 of 21

“of them through the man”

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)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃12 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וְאֶת13 of 21
H853

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

הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה14 of 21

“and the woman”

H802

a woman

אֶל15 of 21

“through”

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קֳבָתָ֑הּ16 of 21

“her belly”

H6897

the abdomen (as a cavity)

וַתֵּֽעָצַר֙17 of 21

“was stayed”

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

הַמַּגֵּפָ֔ה18 of 21

“So the plague”

H4046

a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

מֵעַ֖ל19 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּנֵ֥י20 of 21

“from 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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃21 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 25:8 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 25:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:46-48Psalms 106:29-31Numbers 25:11Numbers 25:51 Chronicles 21:222 Samuel 24:25

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