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.
Original Language Analysis
וְשֵׁם֩
Now the name
H8034
וְשֵׁם֩
Now the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
1 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אִ֨ישׁ
of the Israelite
H376
אִ֨ישׁ
of the Israelite
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הֻכָּה֙
even that was slain
H5221
הֻכָּה֙
even that was slain
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
4 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֻכָּה֙
even that was slain
H5221
הֻכָּה֙
even that was slain
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
6 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית
with the Midianitish woman
H4084
הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית
with the Midianitish woman
Strong's:
H4084
Word #:
8 of 15
a midjanite or descendant (native) of midjan
זִמְרִ֖י
was Zimri
H2174
זִמְרִ֖י
was Zimri
Strong's:
H2174
Word #:
9 of 15
zimri, the name of five israelites, and of an arabian tribe
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נְשִׂ֥יא
a prince
H5387
נְשִׂ֥יא
a prince
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
בֵֽית
house
H1004
בֵֽית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
13 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Historical Context
Simeon's tribe would later be decimated and absorbed into Judah, receiving no independent territorial inheritance (Joshua 19:1-9). This judgment may connect to Zimri's sin and the tribe's participation in the Baal Peor incident. The tribe of Levi had earlier gained blessing by zealously executing judgment against the golden calf worshipers (Exodus 32:26-29). Now Phinehas the Levite executed judgment against Zimri the Simeonite, reversing tribal fortunes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does leadership position increase responsibility and accountability before God?
- What does public shameless sin by leaders do to a community?
- Why does God sometimes make examples of high-status offenders?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The naming of the slain Israelite—'Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites'—emphasizes that this was not a low-status offender but tribal leadership publicly defying God's law. The Hebrew nasi (prince) indicates high rank. Leadership sin is more heinous because it influences the entire community. Zimri's public shamelessness (verse 6) and high position made his judgment exemplary—a warning that status provides no immunity from divine wrath. Leaders are held to higher standards (James 3:1).