Numbers 25:15 (KJV)

What does Numbers 25:15 mean?

Numbers 25:15 identifies the Midianite woman who was killed as Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, who was an important leader among the Midianites. This verse highlights her family background and her father’s high status within his people.

In the context of Numbers 25, this information is given as part of the account of Israel’s troubles with the Midianites and Moabites, where some Israelites were led into idolatry and immorality. The verse specifically points out that Cozbi was not just any woman, but the daughter of a chief, which underlines the seriousness of the incident and the political connections involved.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 25:15

• "Midianitish" (מִדְיָנִית, midyanit): This word refers to someone from Midian, making it clear that Cozbi was not an Israelite but from a neighboring people often in conflict with Israel.
• "Cozbi" (כָּזְבִּי, kozbi): This is the personal name of the woman, and mentioning her by name gives the account a specific, historical feel.
• "Zur" (צוּר, tsur): This is the name of Cozbi’s father, who is described as a "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh) over a "people" (אֵם, am) and a "chief" (אָב, av) of a "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) in Midian, emphasizing his leadership role.

Why Numbers 25:15 matters

• The verse clarifies that Cozbi was not just any Midianite woman, but the daughter of a prominent leader, which would have made her involvement in the events especially provocative and politically significant.
• By naming both Cozbi and her father Zur, Numbers 25:15 connects the incident to the broader conflict between Israel and Midian, showing that the fallout was not just personal but also had national and tribal implications.
• This detail helps explain why the response to the incident was so strong, as it involved high-ranking individuals from both Israel and Midian, not just ordinary people.