Numbers 25:17
“Vex the Midianites, and smite them:”
Numbers 25:17 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Let the Madianites find you enemies, and slay you them:
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- Vex the Midianites, and smite them;
- DARBYDarby
- Harass the Midianites, and smite them,
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Harass the Midianites, and strike them;
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- 'Distress the Midianites, and ye have smitten them,
- BPVBiblePics Version
- "Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
Context: Numbers 25
15And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
16And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
18For 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.
About Numbers 25: The Sin of Baal Peor
Israelites commit idolatry and immorality with Moabite women, and a plague breaks out among them as punishment.
Commentary
In Numbers 25, the Israelites are punished for their idolatry and immorality. The Lord commands Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites, who had enticed the Israelites to worship their gods. Moses then sends a thousand men from each tribe to fight against the Midianites. The Israelites are victorious and bring back the spoils of war.