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.

NUMBERS 25:6KJV
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Numbers 25:6 (KJV)

What does Numbers 25:6 mean?

Numbers 25:6 describes how an Israelite man openly brought a Midianite woman to his fellow Israelites while Moses and the entire community watched, even as the people were mourning at the entrance of the tabernacle. This act was done publicly and in direct view of those grieving before God’s dwelling place.

The scene takes place while Israel is camped in the wilderness, and the people are already distressed because of a plague connected to their disobedience and involvement with foreign women and idols. The verse highlights the boldness of the man’s action, as he brings the woman into the camp right in front of Moses, the leaders, and the congregation gathered in sorrow at the tabernacle entrance.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 25:6

  • "Children" (בְּנֵי, bnei): This word means "sons" or "children" and emphasizes that the man is part of the Israelite community, not an outsider.
  • "Brought" (קָרַב, qarav): This verb means "to bring near" or "to present," showing that the man is not hiding his action but is instead making it public.
  • "Midianitish woman" (הַמִּדְיָנִית, ha-midyānit): The word points out the woman’s identity as a Midianite, which is significant because the Midianites were associated with leading Israel astray in this context.
  • "Weeping" (בֹּכִים, bokhim): This word means "crying" or "mourning," highlighting the deep sorrow of the Israelites at the tabernacle because of the sin and its consequences.

Why Numbers 25:6 matters

  • Numbers 25:6 makes clear how openly the Israelite man defied the community’s grief and the seriousness of their situation, which sets up the dramatic response that follows in the next verses.
  • The verse shows the contrast between the public mourning at the tabernacle and the man’s shameless behavior, underlining the depth of Israel’s crisis.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why such a strong reaction was needed from the leaders, as the sin was not hidden but done in full view of everyone, including Moses and the grieving congregation.

Where else these words appear

“woman” Hebrew H4084 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
  • Numbers 25:14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
  • Numbers 25:17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them:

“weeping” Hebrew H1058 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Judges 21:2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
  • Esther 8:3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.