Numbers 25:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore say, 'I am giving him my covenant of shalom,

Berean Standard Bible:

Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace.

American Standard Version:

Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Wherefore say^{H559}, Behold, I give^{H5414} unto him my covenant^{H1285} of peace^{H7965}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 25:12

Numbers 25:12 is a verse that occurs within the context of a larger narrative in the Book of Numbers, which is part of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). This verse is part of the story of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, who took decisive action against the immorality and idolatry that had infiltrated the Israelite camp through the worship of Baal of Peor.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Covenant:** The verse emphasizes the theme of covenant, specifically a covenant of peace that God bestows upon Phinehas. This covenant is a sign of God's favor and an assurance of His enduring promise to those who remain faithful to Him.
2. **Reward for Zeal:** Phinehas' zealous actions in executing justice according to God's law are rewarded with this covenant of peace. This reflects the theme of divine reward for righteous behavior.
3. **Priesthood:** The covenant also establishes a hereditary priesthood for Phinehas and his descendants, highlighting the importance of the priesthood in Israelite society and its relationship to divine favor.

**Historical Context:**
The Israelites were in the plains of Moab, on the verge of entering the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt and forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The incident at Baal of Peor, where the Israelites engaged in sexual immorality and idolatry with the Moabite women, leading to a plague sent by God, is the immediate backdrop to this verse.

In response to this sin, Phinehas executed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were flaunting their sin publicly, which stopped the plague and demonstrated his commitment to God's holiness. Numbers 25:12-13 is God's response to Phinehas' actions, granting him and his descendants an everlasting priesthood and a covenant of peace as a reward for his zeal for the Lord.

This event and the covenant of peace with Phinehas served as a reminder to the Israelites of the importance of maintaining their religious and moral integrity as they prepared to enter and possess the land promised to them by God. It also reinforced the role of the priesthood in maintaining the spiritual life and purity of the nation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1285
   There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּרִית
   Transliteration: bᵉrîyth
   Pronunciation: ber-eeth'
   Description: from בָּרָה (in the sense of cutting (like בָּרָא)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7965
   There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹם
   Transliteration: shâlôwm
   Pronunciation: shaw-lome'
   Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly.