### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כֹּזְבִי (Kôzᵉbî), Strong's `{{H3579}}`, is a proper noun, a personal name derived from the root `{{H3576}}` (כָּזַב, *kazab*), meaning "to lie, deceive, disappoint." As a personal name, Kôzᵉbî therefore carries the inherent semantic weight of "false," "deceitful," or "one who lies." This etymological connection is crucial for understanding the character and her role in the biblical narrative. The root `{{H3576}}` and its related noun `{{H3577}}` (כָּזָב, *kazav*, "lie, falsehood") are frequently used in the Old Testament to describe deception, idolatry, and the unreliability of false gods or human promises. Thus, the name Kôzᵉbî itself suggests a nature or influence characterized by untruth and spiritual deviation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Kôzᵉbî appears exclusively in the book of Numbers, specifically in the account of the sin at Peor: [[Numbers 25:15]] and [[Numbers 25:18]]. Her full designation is "Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, who was head of the people of a father's house in Midian" [[Numbers 25:15]]. This establishes her as a woman of significant social standing among the Midianites.
The context is dire: the Israelites, encamped in the plains of Moab, began to engage in sexual immorality with Moabite and Midianite women and to worship their gods, especially Baal of Peor. This apostasy provoked the LORD's fierce anger, leading to a plague that killed twenty-four thousand Israelites. In the midst of this crisis, Zimri, a leader from the tribe of Simeon, brazenly brought Cozbi, the Midianite woman, into the Israelite camp and into his tent in full view of Moses and the entire congregation, who were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, witnessing this public act of defiance and spiritual defilement, took a spear and thrust it through both Zimri and Cozbi, stopping the plague.
Cozbi's role is pivotal as the embodiment of the foreign, idolatrous influence that threatened to corrupt Israel's covenant purity. Her very name, "false," underscores the deceptive and destructive nature of the Midianite women's enticement, which led Israel into "false" worship and "false" living, directly violating the commands of Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root `{{H3576}}` (כָּזַב, *kazab*), from which Kôzᵉbî is derived. This root signifies "to lie, to be false, to disappoint, to deceive." Its noun form, `{{H3577}}` (כָּזָב, *kazav*), denotes "a lie, falsehood, deception." These terms are often used in the Old Testament to describe:
* **Idolatry:** False gods are described as "lies" or "vanity" (`{{H1892}}`, *hebel*) because they are not true deities and disappoint those who trust in them (e.g., [[Isaiah 44:20]], [[Jeremiah 16:19]]).
* **Deceitful Speech:** Lies spoken by humans (e.g., [[Psalm 58:3]]).
* **Unfulfilled Promises:** Hopes that prove to be false (e.g., [[Job 41:9]]).
Concepts related to Cozbi's narrative include:
* **Spiritual Prostitution/Adultery:** The biblical metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry (e.g., [[Hosea 4:12]], [[Ezekiel 16]]).
* **Syncretism:** The blending of true worship with pagan practices.
* **Divine Judgment:** The plague and Phinehas's act demonstrate God's swift and severe response to apostasy and moral corruption.
* **Zeal for God:** Phinehas's righteous indignation and decisive action are commended as zeal for the LORD, which turned away divine wrath (`{{H7068}}`, *qana*, "to be zealous").
* **Covenant Fidelity:** The stark contrast between Israel's calling to holiness and their succumbing to pagan influences.
### Theological Significance
The story of Cozbi and Zimri holds profound theological significance:
1. **The Nature of Deception:** Cozbi's name, "false," serves as a powerful theological commentary on the nature of the temptation she represented. Idolatry is fundamentally a lie about God, a substitution of the true and living God with dead idols. The Midianite women's enticement was not merely sexual but a deceptive snare leading Israel into spiritual apostasy, a "false" relationship with the divine.
2. **The Peril of Compromise:** The incident at Peor, culminating in Cozbi's death, underscores the extreme danger of spiritual and moral compromise with the surrounding pagan cultures. God's covenant with Israel demanded exclusive worship and separation from the corrupting influences of the nations. Cozbi, as a prominent Midianite woman, symbolized the seductive power of these foreign entanglements.
3. **Divine Holiness and Justice:** The immediate and severe divine judgment (the plague) highlights God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for unfaithfulness within His covenant community. His justice is swift to preserve the purity of His people and the integrity of His covenant.
4. **The Importance of Zeal for Truth:** Phinehas's zealous act, in which Cozbi was killed, is presented as a righteous response that appeased God's wrath. This teaches that a fervent commitment to God's truth and purity is essential for the well-being of the community and for turning away divine displeasure. It emphasizes the need for vigilance against "false" influences that seek to undermine God's truth.
### Summary
Kôzᵉbî (`{{H3579}}`), meaning "false" or "deceitful," is the name of a Midianite princess who played a central role in Israel's apostasy at Peor, as recorded in [[Numbers 25]]. Her public sexual liaison with Zimri, an Israelite leader, was a blatant act of defiance and idolatry, leading to a severe plague upon Israel. The etymology of her name perfectly encapsulates the deceptive and spiritually corrupting nature of the Midianite temptation, which lured Israel into "false" worship and unfaithfulness to Yahweh. Her story serves as a stark biblical warning against the dangers of moral and spiritual compromise, emphasizing God's demand for exclusive devotion, the perilous nature of idolatry, and the necessity of zealous commitment to divine truth to avert judgment.
TRV