Numbers 25:15
And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
Original Language Analysis
וְשֵׁ֨ם
And the name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֨ם
And the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
1 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הַמֻּכָּ֛ה
that was slain
H5221
הַמֻּכָּ֛ה
that was slain
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
3 of 13
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
הַמִּדְיָנִ֖ית
of the Midianitish
H4084
הַמִּדְיָנִ֖ית
of the Midianitish
Strong's:
H4084
Word #:
4 of 13
a midjanite or descendant (native) of midjan
בַת
the daughter
H1323
בַת
the daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 13
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
רֹ֣אשׁ
he was head
H7218
רֹ֣אשׁ
he was head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
8 of 13
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בֵּֽית
house
H1004
בֵּֽית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָ֛ב
and of a chief
H1
אָ֛ב
and of a chief
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 13
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Numbers 31:8And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.Joshua 13:21And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Historical Context
Zur was one of five Midianite kings killed in Israel's later vengeance (Numbers 31:8). His daughter's involvement in seducing Israel was part of systematic strategy to corrupt them. The incident at Baal Peor combined idolatry (worshiping Moabite gods), sexual immorality (ritual prostitution), and political alliance (tribal intermarriage). This three-fold corruption required severe judgment to prevent Israel's complete apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How do political expediency and sexual immorality often combine in covenant unfaithfulness?
- What does God's knowledge of individual participants teach about accountability?
- How should we respond to systematic strategies to corrupt God's people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The identification of the Midianite woman—'Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian'—shows this was not random fornication but a high-level alliance between Israelite and Midianite nobility. The Hebrew construction emphasizes her royal lineage. This political-sexual alliance sought to unite Israel with Midian through intermarriage, exactly what Balaam had counseled (31:16). The naming of both parties emphasizes that God knows individual sin—no sin is anonymous before Him. Both participants bore responsibility.