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.

For they vex {H6887} you with their wiles {H5231}, wherewith they have beguiled {H5230} you in the matter {H1697} of Peor {H6465}, and in the matter {H1697} of Cozbi {H3579}, the daughter {H1323} of a prince {H5387} of Midian {H4080}, their sister {H269}, which was slain {H5221} in the day {H3117} of the plague {H4046} for Peor's {H6465} sake {H1697}.

because they are treating you as enemies by the trickery they used to deceive you in the P'or incident and in the affair of their sister Kozbi, the daughter of the leader from Midyan, the woman who was killed on the day of the plague in the P'or incident."

For they assailed you deceitfully when they seduced you in the matter of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of the Midianite leader, the woman who was killed on the day the plague came because of Peor.”

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 the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor.

Commentary

Numbers 25:18 serves as a powerful divine justification for Israel's future actions against the Midianites, highlighting their cunning and destructive influence. This verse encapsulates the severe consequences of spiritual and moral compromise that afflicted the Israelite community during their wilderness journey.

Context

This verse immediately follows God's commendation of Phinehas for his zealous action in stopping the plague that had devastated Israel. The plague was a direct result of Israel's entanglement with the Moabite and Midianite women at Baal-Peor, where they participated in idolatry and sexual immorality. The divine instruction to "vex the Midianites, and smite them" given in Numbers 25:17 is rooted in the specific acts of deception and seduction detailed here. The incident at Peor, described in Numbers 25:1-9, represents a critical failure in Israel's covenant faithfulness just before entering the Promised Land.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Treachery: The Midianites are accused of using "wiles" (Hebrew: nekhel, meaning cunning, treachery) to "beguile" (Hebrew: ramah, to deceive or trick) Israel. This emphasizes the deliberate and insidious nature of their attack, which was not through open warfare but through moral corruption and spiritual seduction.
  • Consequences of Idolatry and Immorality: The "matter of Peor" refers to Israel's participation in the worship of Baal-Peor, which involved sexual immorality and idolatry. This sin brought a devastating plague upon Israel, killing 24,000 people. The specific mention of Cozbi, a Midianite princess (Numbers 25:15), highlights the high-profile nature of the sin and its direct link to Midianite leadership.
  • Divine Justice: God's command to retaliate against the Midianites is an act of divine justice. They were not merely passive participants but active instigators of Israel's spiritual downfall, leading them to break their covenant with God. This divine remembrance of their malice underscores God's commitment to protect His people and uphold His holiness.
  • Spiritual Warfare: Beyond physical conflict, this narrative illustrates a form of spiritual warfare where the enemy seeks to undermine God's people through temptation and moral corruption rather than direct force.

Linguistic Insights

The term "wiles" (Hebrew: nekhel) signifies a deep-seated craftiness and deceit, suggesting a calculated strategy rather than a spontaneous act. Similarly, "beguiled" (Hebrew: ramah) conveys the sense of having been tricked or betrayed, emphasizing Israel's vulnerability to their adversaries' manipulative tactics. These words underscore the severity of the Midianite offense, depicting them as active agents of spiritual sabotage.

Practical Application

Numbers 25:18 offers timeless warnings for believers today. It underscores the danger of spiritual compromise and the subtle ways temptation can lead to sin. Just as the Midianites used "wiles" to draw Israel away from God, modern believers must be vigilant against deceptive influences that seek to undermine their faith and moral purity. This verse calls for discernment and a firm commitment to God's commands, recognizing that spiritual battles are often fought not with swords but through subtle pressures and alluring deceptions. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining holiness and separation from worldly enticements, as compromise can have severe consequences for individuals and the community of faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

  • 2 Peter 2:14

    Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

  • 2 Peter 2:15

    Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

  • Exodus 32:35

    And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:3

    But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

  • Genesis 3:13

    And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

  • 2 Peter 2:18

    For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
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