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 25:8KJV
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Numbers 25:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 25:8 mean?

Numbers 25:8 describes how Phinehas, a priest, followed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman into a tent and killed them both with a spear, stopping a deadly plague among the Israelites. The verse explains that this dramatic act brought an end to the punishment that had been afflicting the people.

In the story, the Israelites were suffering from a plague because many had joined in worshiping foreign gods and committing immoral acts with the Moabites and Midianites. Phinehas’s action is shown as a turning point: his intervention halted the plague that had come as a consequence of the people's actions. The verse highlights a moment of crisis and resolution within the larger narrative of Israel’s wilderness journey.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 25:8

  • "thrust" (דָּקַר, daqar): This word means to pierce or stab. The use of this verb makes clear that Phinehas’s action was direct and forceful, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
  • "plague" (מַגֵּפָה, maggephah): This word refers to a widespread and deadly disease or disaster. Its use here shows that the consequences for Israel’s behavior were severe and affected many people.
  • "stayed" (עָצַר, atsar): This verb means to restrain or stop. The verse uses it to show that the plague did not end gradually but was halted immediately after Phinehas’s act.

Why Numbers 25:8 matters

  • Numbers 25:8 clarifies that the plague was not random but was directly connected to the actions of the Israelites and the intervention of Phinehas.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness with which violations of the covenant were treated in Israel’s early history, showing the link between communal behavior and national consequences.
  • This moment is a key turning point in the chapter, helping the reader understand why Phinehas is later commended and why the story is remembered as a lesson about zeal and leadership.

Where else these words appear

“thrust” Hebrew H1856 · used in 10 verses

  • Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
  • Isaiah 13:15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
  • Lamentations 4:9 They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

“plague” Hebrew H4046 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
  • 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

“through” Hebrew H413 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

“stayed” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.