And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

NUMBERS 25:1KJV
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Numbers 25:1 (KJV)

What does Numbers 25:1 mean?

Numbers 25:1 describes how the Israelites, while staying in a place called Shittim, began to engage in sexual relations with the women of Moab. This verse marks the beginning of a troubling episode where the people of Israel are drawn into behavior that goes against their covenant with God.

The setting is near the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, just before entering the promised land. The verse highlights a turning point: the people are not just living among foreign nations, but are now participating in practices associated with those nations. The narrative sets up the events that follow, where these actions lead to serious consequences for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 25:1

  • שִׁטִּים (Shittim, shittim): This is the place where Israel is camped. The name means "acacias," referring to a region with acacia trees, located east of the Jordan River. Knowing the location helps place the story just before Israel’s entry into Canaan.
  • זָנָה (zanah, whoredom): This word often refers to sexual immorality, especially in the context of unfaithfulness to God as well as to marriage. Here, it signals not just physical acts but also spiritual unfaithfulness, since such relationships often involved participation in Moabite religious practices.
  • מוֹאָב (Moab, moav): The Moabites were a neighboring people. The mention of the "daughters of Moab" hints at both social and religious mixing, which was forbidden to Israel at this time.

Why Numbers 25:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s trouble began not with open conflict, but with gradual social and moral compromise while living among another nation.
  • The verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where the consequences of Israel’s actions become a major turning point in their story.
  • Understanding the original terms shows that the issue was not just personal behavior, but also a breaking of Israel’s unique relationship with God, which included staying separate from the practices of surrounding peoples.

Where else these words appear

“Shittim” Hebrew H7851 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
  • Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
  • Joel 3:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

“whoredom” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Chronicles 5:25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
  • Ezekiel 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

“began” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.