The Meaning of Numbers 25:17 Explained

Numbers 25:17

KJV: Vex the Midianites, and smite them:

YLT: 'Distress the Midianites, and ye have smitten them,

Darby: Harass the Midianites, and smite them,

ASV: Vex the Midianites, and smite them;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Vex  the Midianites,  and smite  them: 

What does Numbers 25:17 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 25:17 mean?

Harass - the Midianites and attack them
צָר֖וֹר אֶת־ הַמִּדְיָנִ֑ים וְהִכִּיתֶ֖ם אוֹתָֽם

צָר֖וֹר  Harass 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: צָרַר 
Sense: to bind, be narrow, be in distress, make narrow, cause distress, besiege, be straitened, be bound.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַמִּדְיָנִ֑ים  the  Midianites 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: מִדְיָנִי  
Sense: a member of the tribe of Midian.
וְהִכִּיתֶ֖ם  and  attack 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: נָכָה  
Sense: to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 25:17?

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