Numbers 25:9
Numbers 25:9 in Multiple Translations
but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
And those that died by the plague were twenty and four thousand.
But twenty-four thousand of them had come to their death by the disease.
but 24,000 had already died.
And there died in that plague, foure and twentie thousand.
and the dead by the plague are four and twenty thousand.
Those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.
And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
And there were slain four and twenty thousand men.
But 24,000 people had already died from that plague.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 25:9
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 25:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּהְי֕וּ
הַ/מֵּתִ֖ים
בַּ/מַּגֵּפָ֑ה
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
וְ/עֶשְׂרִ֖ים
אָֽלֶף
וַ/יִּהְי֕וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הַ/מֵּתִ֖ים
mûwth
H4191
to die
Art | V-Qal
בַּ/מַּגֵּפָ֑ה
maggêphâh
H4046
plague
Prep | N-fs
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
וְ/עֶשְׂרִ֖ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Conj | Adj
אָֽלֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 25:9
וַ/יִּהְי֕וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/מֵּתִ֖ים
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Art | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
בַּ/מַּגֵּפָ֑ה
maggêphâh
H4046
"plague"
Prep | N-fs
A plague or pestilence in the Bible often refers to a divine judgment, like the plagues God sent upon Egypt in Exodus 7-12. It can also mean a defeat or slaughter, as seen in 1 Samuel 4:10.
Definition: 1) blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence, strike, smite 1a) blow (fatal stroke) 1b) slaughter (of battle) 1c) plague, pestilence (divine judgment)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: ([idiom] be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke. See also: Exodus 9:14; 2 Samuel 17:9; Psalms 106:29.
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
וְ/עֶשְׂרִ֖ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Conj | Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
אָֽלֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
Study Notes — Numbers 25:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 25:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 25:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 25:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 25:9
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 25:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
- Sermons on Numbers 25:9
Context — The Zeal of Phinehas
7On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,
8followed the Israelite into his tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman. So the plague against the Israelites was halted,
9but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
10Then the LORD said to Moses, 11“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 10:8 | We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 4:3–4 | Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you. |
| 3 | Numbers 25:4–5 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.” |
| 4 | Numbers 16:49–50 | But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah. Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, since the plague had been halted. |
| 5 | Numbers 31:16 | “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. |
| 6 | Numbers 14:37 | those men who had brought out the bad report about the land—were struck down by a plague before the LORD. |
Numbers 25:9 Summary
This verse tells us that 24,000 people died in a plague that God sent because of the Israelites' sin. The plague stopped when Phinehas took a bold stand for God's holiness, as seen in Numbers 25:7-8. This event reminds us of the importance of staying faithful to God and avoiding sin, as encouraged in Proverbs 28:13 and 1 John 1:9. By studying this verse, we can learn more about God's character and how He responds to sin and faithfulness, as seen in Romans 6:23 and Hebrews 10:26-31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the nature of the plague that caused 24,000 deaths?
The plague was a result of God's judgment on the Israelites for their idolatry and immorality, as seen in Numbers 25:1-5, where they began to indulge in sexual immorality and idol worship with the Moabite women, which is also warned against in Deuteronomy 7:3-4.
Why did the plague stop after Phinehas' actions?
The plague stopped because Phinehas' zealous action in Numbers 25:7-8 demonstrated his commitment to God's holiness and turned away God's wrath, as stated in Numbers 25:11, similar to how God's mercy is shown in Exodus 32:14 when Moses interceded for the people.
What can we learn from the large number of deaths in this plague?
The large number of deaths serves as a reminder of the severity of God's judgment on sin, as seen in Numbers 25:9, and the importance of maintaining purity and faithfulness to God, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
How does this event relate to the broader story of the Israelites?
This event is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, as described in the book of Numbers, and serves as a warning to them to remain faithful to God, as also seen in Deuteronomy 8:2-5, where they are reminded of God's provision and guidance.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my commitment to God's holiness in my daily life, just like Phinehas did in this verse?
- How can I balance God's mercy and judgment in my understanding of His character, as seen in this event and in other parts of the Bible, such as Psalm 103:8-10?
- What are some potential consequences of allowing sin to go unchecked in my life or community, and how can I take action to prevent this, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 and 2 Timothy 2:19?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of the spiritual battles that are taking place around me, and how can I engage in these battles in a way that is pleasing to God, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 25:9
And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. The apostle says 23,000 1 Corinthians 10:8.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 25:9
And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. Those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. Only 23,000 perished (1 Corinthians 10:8) from pestilence.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
Object. They were but 23,000, . Answ. The odd thousand here added were slain by the judges according to the order of Moses, the rest by the immediate hand of God, but both sorts died of the plague, the word being used, as oft it is, for the sword, or hand, or stroke of God.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
Numbers 25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.Ver. 9. Twenty and four thousand.] Twenty and three thousand, saith St Paul, insisting only in the special punishment of the people, who were provoked to sin by that other thousand, their princes, and all to show, quam frigida et ieiuna sit eorum defensio, &c., saith Junius, how poorly they plead for themselves, that think to excuse their sins by alleging the examples of their superiors. Jun., Parallel.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
(9) Twenty and four thousand.—In 1 Corinthians 10:8 the number of those who “fell in one day” is said to have been “three and twenty thousand.” It has been supposed that a thousand were put to death by the judges, and that these were not included in St. Paul’s enumeration. Presuming, however, that there has been no error in either place on the part of the scribes in recording the numbers, the words “in one day” may account for the apparent discrepancy.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
Verse 9. Those that died - were twenty and four thousand.] St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:8, reckons only twenty-three thousand; though some MSS. and versions, particularly the latter Syriac and the Armenian, have twenty-four thousand, with the Hebrew text. Allowing the 24,000 to be the genuine reading, and none of the Hebrew MSS. exhibit any various reading here, the two places may be reconciled thus: 1,000 men were slain in consequence of the examination instituted Numbers 25:4, and 23,000 in consequence of the orders given Numbers 25:5; making 24,000 in the whole. St. Paul probably refers only to the latter number.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 25:9
9. twenty and four thousand] S. Paul uses the narrative as a warning to Christians (1 Corinthians 10:8). Either by a slip of memory or owing to a variant reading he gives the number as three and twenty thousand.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 25:9
Twenty and four thousand - Paul 1 Corinthians 10:8 says “three and twenty thousand,” following probably the Jewish tradition which deducted one thousand as the number slain by the hands of their brethren.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 25:9
6-9. One brought a Midianitish woman — From Numbers 25:14-15, we learn that the man was Zimri, a prince of the Simeonites, and the woman Cozbi, the daughter of a chief of Midian.
Sermons on Numbers 25:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ruth the Moabitess by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch delves into the history of the Moabites, known for immorality, seduction, and leading Israel astray through incestuous relationships, idol worship, and schemes to draw |
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(Om Orientation) the Pull of the Flesh - Part 2 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a strong desire for freedom from sin and a hunger to see others set free as well. He compares this desire to the det |
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Drifting Into Danger by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson warns about the peril of drifting away from Christ, emphasizing that even the most devoted believers can become complacent and lose their intimate connection with G |
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The Wrath of God by Charles Leiter | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the present course of the world as a downward spiral towards hell. He emphasizes that people become increasingly blind and deceived as they c |
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The Bond of Perfection by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the critical importance of unity within the Body of Christ, likening disunity to a boxing match between one's own limbs. He warns that the devil exploits d |