Numbers – Chapter 25

Old Testament • 18 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 25 of Numbers begins: "And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab," The chapter centers on Moses, Eleazar and Aaron. Across its 18 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and sin and divine judgment. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab,

2Who called them to their sacrifices. And they ate of them, and adored their gods.

3And Israel was initiated to Beelphegor: upon which the Lord being angry,

4Said to Moses: Take all the princes of the people, and hang them up on gibbets against the sun: that my fury may be turned away from Israel.

5And Moses said to the judges of Israel: Let every man kill his neighbours, that have been initiated to Beelphegor.

6And behold one of the children of Israel went in before his brethren to a harlot of Madian, in the sight of Moses and of all the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle.

7And when Phinees the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest saw it, he rose up from the midst of the multitude, and taking a dagger,

8Went in after the Israelite into the brothel house, and thrust both of them through together, to wit, the man and the woman in the genital parts. And the scourge ceased from the children of Israel.

9And there were slain four and twenty thousand men.

10And the Lord said to Moses:

11Phinees the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned away my wrath from the children of Israel: because he was moved with my zeal against them, that I myself might not destroy the children of Israel in my zeal.

12Therefore say to him: behold I give him the peace of my covenant,

13And the covenant of the priesthood for ever shall be both to him and his seed, because he hath been zealous for his God, and hath made atonement for the wickedness of the children of Israel.

14And the name of the Israelite, that was slain with the woman of Madian, was Zambri the son of Salu, a prince of the kindred and tribe of Simeon.

15And the Madianite woman, that was slain with him, was called Cozbi the daughter of Sur, a most noble prince among the Madianites.

16And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

17Let the Madianites find you their enemies, and slay you them:

18Because they also have acted like enemies against you, and have guilefully deceived you by the idol Phogor, and Cozbi their sister, a daughter of a prince of Madian, who was slain in the day of the plague for the sacrilege of Phogor.

Important Verses in Numbers 25

“And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab,”

Numbers 25:1

“Said to Moses: Take all the princes of the people, and hang them up on gibbets against the sun: that my fury may be turned away from Israel.”

Numbers 25:4

“And when Phinees the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest saw it, he rose up from the midst of the multitude, and taking a dagger,”

Numbers 25:7

“And the covenant of the priesthood for ever shall be both to him and his seed, because he hath been zealous for his God, and hath made atonement for the wickedness of the children of Israel.”

Numbers 25:13

Historical Context

Numbers belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel on the threshold of the Promised Land, warned by the failures of the wilderness generation. Chapter 25 of 36 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses, Eleazar, Aaron and Simeon, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab," It concludes: "Because they also have acted like enemies against you, and have guilefully deceived you by the idol Phogor, and Cozbi…" In terms of historical background, Numbers takes its name from the two censuses of Israel and covers nearly forty years of wandering between Sinai and the plains of Moab. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing

When It Was Written

Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The list of names is not mere record-keeping: it anchors the story of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness in real families and real history. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Numbers 25 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees Israel's journey as an image of our pilgrimage to heaven (CIC 2119). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 618).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Moses5 mentionsEleazar2 mentionsAaron2 mentionsSimeon1 mention

Reflection for Today

Numbers Chapter 25, containing 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 113). Here the emphasis falls on lectio divina and meditation on God's Word, which shapes how the Church understands wilderness journey and God's faithfulness.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 355).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Numbers Chapter 25 about?

Numbers 25 contains 18 verses. It opens with "And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab," and closes with "Because they also have acted like enemies against you, and have guilefully deceived you by the idol Phogor, and Cozbi…". The book as a whole is narrative, census lists, and law.

What is a key verse in Numbers 25?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Israel at that time abode in Settim, and the people committed fornication with the daughters of Moab," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Numbers Chapter 25?

This chapter mentions Moses, Eleazar, Aaron, Simeon.

Who wrote Numbers and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing. Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Exodus 6Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 23Shares people and themes with this chapterEzra 7Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

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