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Numbers 25:5

Numbers 25:5 in Multiple Translations

So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that have joined themselves unto Baal-peor.

So Moses said to the judges of Israel, Let everyone put to death those of his men who have had relations with the women of Moab in honour of the Baal of Peor.

So Moses instructed Israel's judges, “Each of you has to kill all of your men who have devoted themselves to worshiping Baal of Peor.”

Then Moses sayd vnto the Iudges of Israel, Euery one slay his men that were ioyned vnto Baal Peor.

And Moses saith unto the judges of Israel, 'Slay ye each his men who are joined to Baal-Peor.'

Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Everyone kill his men who have joined themselves to Baal Peor.”

And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined to Baal-peor.

And Moses said to the judges of Israel: Let every man kill his neighbours, that have been initiated to Beelphegor.

So Moses/I said to the other Israeli leaders, “Each of you must execute your men who have joined others in worshiping Baal.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 25:5

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 25:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶל שֹׁפְטֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הִרְגוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֲנָשָׁ֔י/ו הַ/נִּצְמָדִ֖ים לְ/בַ֥עַל פְּעֽוֹר
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֹשֶׁ֔ה Môsheh H4872 Moses N-proper
אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep
שֹׁפְטֵ֖י shâphaṭ H8199 to judge V-Qal
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
הִרְגוּ֙ hârag H2026 to kill V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms
אֲנָשָׁ֔י/ו ʼîysh H376 man N-mp | Suff
הַ/נִּצְמָדִ֖ים tsâmad H6775 to join Art | V-Niphal-Inf-c
לְ/בַ֥עַל Baʻal Pᵉʻôwr H1187 Baal of Peor Prep | N-proper
פְּעֽוֹר Baʻal Pᵉʻôwr H1187 Baal of Peor N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 25:5

וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
מֹשֶׁ֔ה Môsheh H4872 "Moses" N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
שֹׁפְטֵ֖י shâphaṭ H8199 "to judge" V-Qal
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
הִרְגוּ֙ hârag H2026 "to kill" V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֲנָשָׁ֔י/ו ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
הַ/נִּצְמָדִ֖ים tsâmad H6775 "to join" Art | V-Niphal-Inf-c
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to join or link things together, like serving or working with someone. It appears in contexts like joining oneself to a group or task. This idea of connection is key to understanding its meaning.
Definition: 1) to bind, join, fasten 1a) (Niphal) to join, join or attach oneself to 1b) (Pual) to be fastened, be bound 1c)(Hiphil) to combine, fit together, hitch up
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fasten, frame, join (self). See also: Numbers 25:3; 2 Samuel 20:8; Psalms 50:19.
לְ/בַ֥עַל Baʻal Pᵉʻôwr H1187 "Baal of Peor" Prep | N-proper
Baal-peor was a Moabite deity worshipped at Peor, possibly with immoral rites. It means 'lord of the gap' and is another name for the god Baal. This idol was mentioned in the Bible as a false god.
Definition: Baal-peor = "lord of the gap" the deity worshipped at Peor with probable licentious rites Another name of ba.al (בַּעַל "Baal" H1168A)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Baal-peor. See also: Numbers 25:3; Deuteronomy 4:3; Psalms 106:28.
פְּעֽוֹר Baʻal Pᵉʻôwr H1187 "Baal of Peor" N-proper
Baal-peor was a Moabite deity worshipped at Peor, possibly with immoral rites. It means 'lord of the gap' and is another name for the god Baal. This idol was mentioned in the Bible as a false god.
Definition: Baal-peor = "lord of the gap" the deity worshipped at Peor with probable licentious rites Another name of ba.al (בַּעַל "Baal" H1168A)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Baal-peor. See also: Numbers 25:3; Deuteronomy 4:3; Psalms 106:28.

Study Notes — Numbers 25:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
2 1 Kings 18:40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.
3 Deuteronomy 13:9 Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.
4 Deuteronomy 13:15 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.
5 Exodus 32:27–28 He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.
6 Deuteronomy 17:3–5 and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.
7 Exodus 22:20 If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.
8 Deuteronomy 13:6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known,
9 Deuteronomy 13:13 that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
10 Exodus 18:25–26 So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

Numbers 25:5 Summary

This verse shows that God is very serious about sin and wants His people to be pure and holy. Moses told the judges to have the men who worshiped Baal of Peor killed, which may seem harsh, but it was a call to turn away from sin and back to God (as seen in Numbers 25:3-4). Just like the Israelites, we can easily be tempted to worship false idols, but God wants us to trust and obey Him, even when it's hard (as in Exodus 14:13-14). By following God's commands, we can experience His cleansing and restoration, and live a life that honors Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God instruct Moses to have the judges kill the men who worshiped Baal of Peor?

God's instruction was a result of His fierce anger towards Israel for their idolatry, as seen in Numbers 25:3-4, and it was a call to purify the nation and turn away His anger, similar to the principle found in Deuteronomy 13:6-10.

What is the significance of the judges being involved in the execution?

The judges' involvement highlights the importance of leadership in maintaining righteousness and purity within the community, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 16:18-20 and Exodus 18:21-22.

How does this verse relate to the concept of God's justice?

This verse demonstrates God's justice in dealing with sin, as He holds individuals accountable for their actions, similar to the principle stated in Ezekiel 18:20, and it also shows His desire to cleanse and restore His people, as seen in Numbers 25:4.

What can we learn from Moses' obedience to God's instruction in this verse?

Moses' obedience demonstrates the importance of trusting and following God's commands, even when they are difficult or challenging, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Hebrews 11:24-27.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some modern-day 'Baal of Peor' idols that I may be unknowingly worshiping, and how can I turn away from them?
  2. In what ways can I, like the judges in this verse, take a stand for righteousness and purity in my own community?
  3. How does the concept of God's justice, as seen in this verse, comfort or challenge me, and what does it teach me about His character?
  4. What are some areas in my life where I need to trust and obey God's instructions, even if they seem difficult or unclear?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 25:5

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel,.... Either the same with the heads of the people, or the rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, according to the distribution by the advice of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 25:5

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 25:5

Every one his men, i.e. those under his charge; for as these seventy were chosen to assist Moses in the government, so doubtless the care and management of the people was distributed among them by just and equal proportions.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 25:5

Numbers 25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.Ver. 5. Unto the judges of Israel.]. Those of them that had not defiled themselves; else with what face could they punish others? or look upon those, that before their faces had been hanged up against the sun, whose destruction was for ever to be remembered?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 25:5

Verse 5. Slay ye every one his men] In the different departments where you preside over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, slay all the culprits that shall be found.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 25:5

5. every one his men] Each judge was to execute the offenders that belonged to the division over which he had authority (see Exodus 18:25 f.).

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 25:5

5. Slay ye every one his men — This is far from an indiscriminate slaughter by what is called “lynch law,” but every judge is charged to convict according to the forms of law, and punish every

Sermons on Numbers 25:5

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Ron Bailey Nahshon by Ron Bailey In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the book of Numbers in the Bible and the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The speaker highlights the tragic nature
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Exodus 16-18 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine fear of God and the accountability that comes with being a teacher of the Word. He shares his personal str
Wayne Grudem The Meaning of Head in the Bible by Wayne Grudem In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of citing references in a way that makes them difficult to locate. He emphasizes that evangelical scholarship should
Shane Idleman If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church
Steve Mays Give Me More, Give Me More - Part 1 by Steve Mays In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the issue of coveting and its impact on society. He emphasizes that the greed and covetousness of individuals and nations are causing co
Samuel Logan Brengle Keeping the Flock by Samuel Logan Brengle Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the vital role of soul-winners in nurturing and maintaining the faith of their converts, drawing parallels to Paul's dedication in strengthening bel
K.P. Yohannan Precious in the Sight of God by K.P. Yohannan K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of fearing God, illustrating that this reverence is what makes individuals precious in His sight. He highlights Job as a prime example, no

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