Numbers 25:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD now speaks a new command: vex and strike the Midianites in retaliation.
The Context of Numbers 25:16
God ordains Israel's response to Midian's seduction strategy.
What Does Numbers 25:16 Mean?
Vex the Midianites, and smite them is God's command, not Zimri's or Phinehas' vendetta. This places the conflict in a covenant framework: Midian attacked Israel's covenant by engineering seduction and idolatry. Now Israel, as God's covenant people, is called to respond. This is not tribal revenge but covenantal justice—God defining Israel's role as His agent.
The command follows logically from what was revealed: Midian sent Cozbi, orchestrated the seduction, and used cultural assimilation as a weapon. The prior judgment of Zimri and Cozbi was internal—Israel cleansing itself. This command is external—Israel executing God's judgment on those who sought to destroy it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 25:16
What does Numbers 25:16 mean?
The LORD now speaks a new command: vex and strike the Midianites in retaliation.
What is the context of Numbers 25:16?
God ordains Israel's response to Midian's seduction strategy.