Numbers 25:6
And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Original Language Analysis
אִישׁ֩
And behold one
H376
אִישׁ֩
And behold one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 22
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)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּקְרֵ֤ב
and brought
H7126
וַיַּקְרֵ֤ב
and brought
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
6 of 22
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אֶחָיו֙
unto his brethren
H251
אֶחָיו֙
unto his brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
8 of 22
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית
a Midianitish woman
H4084
הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית
a Midianitish woman
Strong's:
H4084
Word #:
10 of 22
a midjanite or descendant (native) of midjan
וּלְעֵינֵ֖י
and in the sight
H5869
וּלְעֵינֵ֖י
and in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
11 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּלְעֵינֵ֖י
and in the sight
H5869
וּלְעֵינֵ֖י
and in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
13 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֣ת
of all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֣ת
of all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
15 of 22
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
פֶּ֖תַח
before the door
H6607
פֶּ֖תַח
before the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
20 of 22
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
Cross References
Joel 2:17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?Numbers 22:4And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
Historical Context
This incident occurred at the tabernacle door during communal weeping over the plague (verse 8). The man's action constituted deliberate provocation—not hidden sin but open defiance. His social position (later identified as a prince, verse 14) made his example especially dangerous.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be 'zealous' for God's honor in contemporary context?
- How do you respond to open, defiant sin in the community of faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
An Israelite brazenly brought a Midianite woman to his family 'in the sight of Moses, and... all the congregation' while they mourned. This audacious sin during corporate repentance reveals hardness of heart and contempt for God's judgment. Some persist in rebellion even when warned by others' punishment. Phinehas's zealous response (verse 7-8) demonstrated that tolerating such defiance endangers everyone.