New International VersionThe LORD said to Moses,
New Living TranslationThen the LORD said to Moses,
English Standard VersionAnd the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Berean Standard BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses,
King James BibleAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
New King James VersionThen the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
New American Standard BibleThen the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
NASB 1995Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
NASB 1977 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Amplified BibleThen the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Christian Standard BibleThe LORD told Moses,
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe LORD told Moses: “
American Standard VersionAnd Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
Contemporary English VersionThe LORD told Moses,
English Revised VersionAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe LORD said to Moses,
Good News TranslationThe LORD commanded Moses,
International Standard VersionLater, the LORD ordered Moses,
NET BibleThen the LORD spoke to Moses:
New Heart English BibleAnd the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying,
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses,
World English BibleYahweh spoke to Moses, saying, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH speaks to Moses, saying,
Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jehovah will speak to Moses, saying, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
New American BibleThe LORD then said to Moses:
New Revised Standard VersionThe LORD said to Moses, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd LORD JEHOVAH spoke with Moshe and said to him: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Zeal of Phinehas… 15And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family. 16And the LORD said to Moses, 17“Attack the Midianites and strike them dead.…
Cross References Psalm 106:28-31They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. / So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. / But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. ...
1 Corinthians 10:8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.
Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
Deuteronomy 4:3-4Your 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.
Joshua 22:17Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD.
Hosea 9:10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.
2 Peter 2:15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
Micah 6:5My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
1 Kings 18:21Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
2 Kings 10:20-28And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it. / Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end. / And Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out garments for them. ...
Judges 2:11-15And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. ...
1 Corinthians 5:1-5It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? / Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. ...
2 Corinthians 6:14-18Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...
Ephesians 5:5-7For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. / Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Colossians 3:5-6Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Numbers 31:2
Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. Revelation 18:6
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Jump to Previous Moses SpeakethJump to Next Moses SpeakethNumbers 25 1. Israel at Shittim commit unfaithfulness and idolatry6. Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi10. God therefore gives him an everlasting priesthood16. The Midianites are to be troubledAnd the LORD said to Moses,This phrase indicates direct communication from God to Moses, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch, highlighting Moses' role as a prophet and leader of Israel. The LORD, represented by the tetragrammaton YHWH, emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. This communication underscores the theocratic nature of Israel's leadership, where divine guidance is paramount. Moses, as the mediator of God's will, is a type of Christ, who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity ( 1 Timothy 2:5). This divine instruction often precedes significant actions or judgments, reflecting God's sovereignty and justice. The context here follows the incident at Peor, where Israel fell into idolatry and immorality, prompting divine intervention to restore holiness among the people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who speaks directly to Moses, guiding the Israelites through their journey and providing divine instructions. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. He serves as the mediator between God and the people. 3. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are in the wilderness journeying towards the Promised Land. They are often depicted as struggling with obedience and faithfulness to God. 4. The Moabite IncidentThis event involves the Israelites being led into sin through idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, which provokes God's anger and leads to a plague among the people. 5. The PlagueA divine punishment that comes upon the Israelites as a result of their sin, highlighting the seriousness of disobedience to God's commands. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin, especially idolatry and immorality, is taken very seriously by God. It disrupts our relationship with Him and can lead to severe consequences. The Role of LeadershipMoses' role as a leader is crucial. God communicates His will through leaders, and they are responsible for guiding the people in obedience to God's commands. The Need for RepentanceWhen sin is recognized, immediate repentance is necessary. The Israelites' experience serves as a reminder of the importance of turning back to God. God's Faithfulness and JusticeDespite the Israelites' repeated failures, God remains faithful to His covenant. His justice is evident in His response to sin, but His mercy is also available to those who repent. Vigilance Against TemptationThe incident with the Moabites serves as a warning to remain vigilant against the temptations that can lead us away from God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 25:16?
2. How does God's command in Numbers 25:16 reflect His justice and holiness?
3. What lessons about obedience can we learn from Numbers 25:16?
4. How does Numbers 25:16 connect to God's covenant with Israel?
5. How can we apply the principles from Numbers 25:16 in our daily lives?
6. What does Numbers 25:16 teach about God's response to sin among His people?
7. Why did God command Moses to attack the Midianites in Numbers 25:16?
8. How does Numbers 25:16 reflect God's justice and mercy?
9. What historical context led to the events in Numbers 25:16?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 25?
11. What happened to the Midianite virgins in the Bible?
12. Numbers 25:16–18: How do we explain God’s order to target the Midianites if later passages show them still existing as a significant force?
13. What are key events in Joshua's life?
14. Why did God command killing Midianites, including children?What Does Numbers 25:16 Mean And• This simple conjunction links the statement directly to the crisis just described in Numbers 25:1-15, where Israel’s sin with Moab brought a deadly plague. • The connection assures us that God’s response is immediate and purposeful, not random (cf. Psalm 94:1-2; Psalm 103:6). • It signals that divine instruction is always given in the flow of real history—God acts and speaks into specific moments, guiding His people step-by-step (Exodus 13:21-22).
the LORD• “the LORD” renders the covenant name YHWH, reminding us of God’s unchanging, personal commitment to Israel (Exodus 3:15; Malachi 3:6). • His holiness has just been violated, yet He still engages His people, demonstrating both justice and steadfast love (Exodus 34:6-7; Hosea 11:8-9). • Because the speaker is the covenant-keeping God, every word carries absolute authority and reliability (Numbers 23:19; 2 Samuel 7:28).
said• God’s speech is revelation, not suggestion. When He speaks, He reveals His character and directs His covenant community (Deuteronomy 8:3; Isaiah 55:11). • The verb underscores that Scripture records actual, historical words from God, giving us confidence in its literal accuracy (2 Timothy 3:16). • Divine speech comes before human action; Israel is to listen first, then obey (James 1:22-25).
to Moses• Moses remains God’s chosen mediator, even after Israel’s failure (Numbers 12:7-8; Deuteronomy 34:10-12). • By addressing Moses, God reinforces orderly leadership and accountability within the congregation (Exodus 18:24-26; Hebrews 13:17). • The personal interaction highlights God’s grace: He continues to communicate with His servant so the nation can be restored (Exodus 33:11; Psalm 103:7).
summaryNumbers 25:16—“And the LORD said to Moses”—is more than a narrative transition. The conjunction “And” ties God’s word directly to Israel’s recent sin, showing His timely intervention. “the LORD” reminds us that the covenant God, ever faithful and holy, is speaking. “said” affirms that His spoken word is authoritative revelation, fully trustworthy. “to Moses” underscores the ongoing role of God-appointed leadership and His gracious willingness to guide a repentant people. Together, these few words set the stage for the instructions that follow, assuring us that even after grievous failure, God’s holy, personal, and authoritative voice still leads His covenant community toward restoration and obedience.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew And the LORDיְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelsaidוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (way·ḏab·bêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdueto Moses,מֹשֶׁ֥ה (mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver
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OT Law: Numbers 25:16 Yahweh spoke to Moses saying (Nu Num.) |
