For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
NUMBERS 25:18KJVWhat does Numbers 25:18 mean?
Numbers 25:18 explains that the Midianites caused trouble for the Israelites by deceiving them, specifically through the incident at Peor and involving Cozbi, a Midianite woman who was killed during a plague that came as a result of this deception. The verse highlights the harm done to Israel through cunning actions and the resulting judgment.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, warning him about the ongoing threat from the Midianites after the Israelites had been led into sin at Peor. The verse refers to how the Midianites, through trickery and seduction, led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, which brought about a deadly plague. Cozbi, mentioned here, was a leader’s daughter who played a direct role in this event and was killed as part of God’s judgment.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 25:18
- "Vex" (צָרַר, tsarar, H6887) means to cause distress or trouble. Here, it emphasizes the active harm the Midianites brought upon Israel, not just annoyance but real danger.
- "Wiles" (נִכְלָה, nikhlah, H5231) refers to cunning or deceitful schemes. This word shows that the Midianites’ actions were deliberate and crafty, not accidental.
- "Beguiled" (נָכַל, nakhal, H5230) means to deceive or lead astray. The use of this word points to the intentional misleading of the Israelites, especially in the context of the Peor incident.
- "Matter" (דָּבָר, davar, H1697) is a broad word meaning "thing," "matter," or "affair." In this verse, it refers to the specific incidents involving Peor and Cozbi, highlighting them as significant events.
Why Numbers 25:18 matters
- Numbers 25:18 clarifies that the trouble Israel faced was not random but the result of intentional deception by the Midianites, helping the reader understand the seriousness of the conflict.
- The verse connects the death of Cozbi and the plague directly to the events at Peor, making clear the consequences of Israel’s involvement with Midianite practices.
- This verse sets up the reason for God’s later command to oppose the Midianites, showing that their actions were not just personal offenses but a threat to Israel’s relationship with God.