The Meaning of Numbers 25:2 Explained

Numbers 25:2

KJV: And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

YLT: and they call for the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people eat, and bow themselves to their gods,

Darby: And they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods.

ASV: for they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And they called  the people  unto the sacrifices  of their gods:  and the people  did eat,  and bowed down  to their gods. 

What does Numbers 25:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 25:1-18 - The Zeal Of Phinehas Against Impurity
Unable to curse Israel directly, Balaam suggested to Balak the device of destroying the union between Israel and their divine Protector by enticing them into sin. Once bring license and passion into play, and let the seductions of evil prevail, and surely the holiness of God would compel Him to withdraw His protection! This was a diabolical suggestion to gain his wage. See Revelation 2:14.
The women of the land, notorious for their wantonness, seduced the men of Israel to join in the sensual rites of their worship. All did not fall into this sin. See Deuteronomy 4:3-4. But it brought terrible chastisement on the offenders, 1 Corinthians 10:8. You must amputate a gangrened limb.
For Phinehas, see Malachi 2:4, etc. Let us come out of the world, cleansing ourselves from its filthiness! 2 Corinthians 6:14, etc. There are crises when love for God's honor demands strenuous action, which never fails, as in the case of Phinehas, of an abounding recognition, Numbers 25:12. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 25

1  Israel at Shittim commit unfaithfulness and idolatry
6  Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi
10  God therefore gives him an everlasting priesthood
16  The Midianites are to be troubled

What do the individual words in Numbers 25:2 mean?

And they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods and ate the people and bowed down to their gods
וַתִּקְרֶ֣אןָ לָעָ֔ם לְזִבְחֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ן וַיֹּ֣אכַל הָעָ֔ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּ‪‬ לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽן

וַתִּקְרֶ֣אןָ  And  they  invited 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine plural
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
לָעָ֔ם  the  people 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
לְזִבְחֵ֖י  to  the  sacrifices  of 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: זֶבַח  
Sense: sacrifice.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ן  their  gods 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
וַיֹּ֣אכַל  and  ate 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
הָעָ֔ם  the  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּ‪‬  and  bowed  down 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁחָה  
Sense: to bow down.
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽן  to  their  gods 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).