Numbers 25:18
For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
צֹֽרְרִ֥ים
For they vex
H6887
צֹֽרְרִ֥ים
For they vex
Strong's:
H6887
Word #:
2 of 27
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִכְּל֥וּ
wherewith they have beguiled
H5230
נִכְּל֥וּ
wherewith they have beguiled
Strong's:
H5230
Word #:
7 of 27
to defraud, i.e., act treacherously
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַר
and in the matter
H1697
דְּבַר
and in the matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
פְּעֽוֹר׃
for Peor's
H6465
פְּעֽוֹר׃
for Peor's
Strong's:
H6465
Word #:
11 of 27
peor, a mountain east of jordan in moab; baal peor, (for h1187) a deity worshipped there
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַר
and in the matter
H1697
דְּבַר
and in the matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בַת
the daughter
H1323
בַת
the daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
15 of 27
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
נְשִׂ֤יא
of a prince
H5387
נְשִׂ֤יא
of a prince
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
מִדְיָן֙
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָן֙
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
17 of 27
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
אֲחֹתָ֔ם
their sister
H269
אֲחֹתָ֔ם
their sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
18 of 27
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
הַמֻּכָּ֥ה
which was slain
H5221
הַמֻּכָּ֥ה
which was slain
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
19 of 27
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בְיוֹם
in the day
H3117
בְיוֹם
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
20 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַר
and in the matter
H1697
דְּבַר
and in the matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
23 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
פְּעֽוֹר׃
for Peor's
H6465
פְּעֽוֹר׃
for Peor's
Strong's:
H6465
Word #:
24 of 27
peor, a mountain east of jordan in moab; baal peor, (for h1187) a deity worshipped there
וַיְהִ֖י
H1961
וַיְהִ֖י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
25 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Baal Peor was likely a local manifestation of the Canaanite fertility god Baal, worshiped at Mount Peor. The worship involved ritual prostitution, combining sexual immorality with idolatry. This Canaanite religion promised agricultural fertility through sympathetic magic—enacting sexual acts with cult prostitutes to stimulate the gods to make land fertile. Israel's participation represented complete apostasy from Yahweh's covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture record specific names and places of sin rather than generalizing?
- How does specific historical grounding of sin prevent us from abstracting away accountability?
- What does God's detailed knowledge of specific sins teach about His justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The specific mention 'in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi' grounds the general principle (Midianite treachery) in specific incidents. Peor refers to the location where Israel joined itself to Baal of Peor (25:3); Cozbi names the Midianite princess whose fornication with Zimri provoked plague (25:14-15). Specific naming prevents abstracting sin—real people in real places committed real rebellion. This specificity teaches that God's judgment addresses concrete historical sins, not merely theoretical wrongdoing. Scripture's detailed recording of both sins and judgments demonstrates divine justice's precision.