The Hebrew word Kôzᵉbîy, represented by H3579, is the proper name of a Midianitess. Derived from a root meaning "false," it appears 2 times in 2 unique verses. The name belongs to a single individual whose actions are central to the account of Israel's sin at Peor.
In the biblical narrative, H3579 identifies Cozbi, a Midianite woman of high standing. She is described as "the daughter of Zur" Numbers 25:15, who was "head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian" Numbers 25:15. Her story is recounted as a key element of the Midianites' plot to corrupt Israel, as they "vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi" Numbers 25:18. Her life ends when she is slain alongside an Israelite man during the plague that resulted from this widespread apostasy Numbers 25:15.
Several related words provide context for Cozbi's identity and the events surrounding her:
- H4084 Midyânîy (Midianite): This term defines Cozbi's national and ethnic origin. She is explicitly called "the Midianitish woman that was slain" Numbers 25:15, linking her directly to the people Israel was commanded to vex Numbers 25:17.
- H5231 nêkel (deceit; wile): This word describes the method used by the Midianites. Cozbi was a central figure in their "wiles" Numbers 25:18 that beguiled the Israelites, aligning her actions with the "false" nature of her name.
- H5387 nâsîyʼ (prince): Cozbi's high social status is emphasized by her being "the daughter of a prince of Midian" Numbers 25:18. This indicates her role was not incidental but part of a strategic and high-level effort to subvert Israel.
- H5221 nâkâh (to strike, kill, slay): This word marks the final outcome for Cozbi, who "was slain" (Numbers 25:15, 25:18) as a direct consequence of her part in the sin at Peor.
The theological weight of H3579 is found in the events to which the name is attached. Cozbi's story serves as a powerful illustration of several principles:
- The Danger of Deception: Cozbi's name, meaning "false," and her involvement in the "wiles" H5231 of the Midianites Numbers 25:18 serve as a warning against apostasy through seduction and deceit.
- Divine Judgment on Sin: Cozbi was "slain in the day of the plague" Numbers 25:18. Her death, alongside the 24,000 Israelites who died Numbers 25:9, demonstrates that God's judgment extends to both the tempters and the tempted.
- Leadership and Culpability: As the daughter of a "prince" H5387 and "head over a people" Numbers 25:15, Cozbi's actions represent a deliberate provocation from the leadership of Midian, highlighting the greater responsibility of those in authority.
In summary, H3579 Kôzᵉbîy is more than just a name; it represents a key figure in a pivotal moment of failure for Israel. Though mentioned only twice, her identity as a high-ranking Midianitess, her association with deceit, and her ultimate fate serve as a stark biblical case study on the themes of enticement, sin, and divine retribution. Her story is a memorial of the events at Peor, where beguilement led to a devastating plague.
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