Bible Chapter Summary
Numbers 25 Summary
Israel's Idolatry and Phinehas's Zeal
While encamped at Shittim, Israelite men commit sexual immorality with Moabite women and are drawn into worshipping Baal-peor, provoking God's fierce anger and a devastating plague. The LORD commands Moses to execute the leaders of the apostasy, and Moses instructs the judges to slay those who joined Baal-peor. The plague is stayed when Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, kills the Israelite Zimri and the Midianite woman Cozbi with a javelin, an act for which the LORD rewards Phinehas with a covenant of peace and an everlasting priesthood. The chapter closes with God commanding Moses to treat the Midianites as enemies because of their role in seducing Israel at Peor.
Key themes
Key verses
Numbers 25:3
“And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.”
Numbers 25:8
“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.”
Numbers 25:12
“Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:”
Numbers 25:13
“And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.”
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