New International VersionThe LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
New Living TranslationThe LORD issued the following command to Moses: “Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the LORD in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel.”
English Standard VersionAnd the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the LORD, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
Berean Standard BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
King James BibleAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
New King James VersionThen the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the LORD, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
New American Standard BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
NASB 1995The LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
NASB 1977And the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Yahweh said to Moses, “Take all who are the heads of the people and execute them in broad daylight before Yahweh, so that the burning anger of Yahweh may turn away from Israel.”
Amplified BibleThe LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people [who have committed sin with the Moabites], and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”
Christian Standard BibleThe LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD so that his burning anger may turn away from Israel.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD so that His burning anger may turn away from Israel.”
American Standard VersionAnd Jehovah said unto Moses, Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up unto Jehovah before the sun, that the fierce anger of Jehovah may turn away from Israel.
Contemporary English VersionSo he said to Moses, "Take the Israelite leaders who are responsible for this and have them killed in front of my sacred tent where everyone can see. Maybe then I will stop being angry with the Israelites."
English Revised VersionAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up unto the LORD before the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people, and execute them in broad daylight in the LORD's presence. This will turn the LORD's anger away from Israel."
Good News Translationand said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of Israel and, in obedience to me, execute them in broad daylight, and then I will no longer be angry with the people."
International Standard Versionso the LORD told Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight for the LORD, so the LORD's burning anger may be withdrawn from Israel."
NET BibleThe LORD said to Moses, "Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel."
New Heart English BibleThe LORD said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up to the LORD before the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the LORD said to Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
World English BibleYahweh said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up to Yahweh before the sun, that the fierce anger of Yahweh may turn away from Israel.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them before YHWH in sight of the sun; and the fierceness of the anger of YHWH turns back from Israel.”
Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them before Jehovah -- over-against the sun; and the fierceness of the anger of Jehovah doth turn back from Israel.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jehovah will say to Moses, Take all the heads of the people and hang them up to Jehovah before the sun, and the burning anger of Jehovah shall turn back from Israel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSaid 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.
Catholic Public Domain Versionsaid to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people, and hang them on gallows against the sun, so that my fury may be averted from Israel.”
New American BibleThe LORD said to Moses: Gather all the leaders of the people, and publicly execute them before the LORD, that the blazing wrath of the LORD may turn away from Israel.
New Revised Standard VersionThe LORD said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people, and impale them in the sun before the LORD, in order that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses, Take all the chiefs of the people and expose them before the LORD in the daylight that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from the children of Israel.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe: “Take all the Heads of the people and stretch them out before LORD JEHOVAH against the sun and turn back the heat of his wrath from the children of Israel.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up unto the LORD in face of the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Lord said to Moses, Take all the princes of the people, and make them examples of judgment for the Lord in the face of the sun, and the anger of the Lord shall be turned away from Israel.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Moab Seduces Israel… 3So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them. 4Then the LORDsaidtoMoses,“Takeallthe leadersof the peopleand executetheminbroad daylightbefore the LORD,so that Hisfierceangermay turn awayfrom Israel.”5So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”…
Cross References Deuteronomy 13:6-11If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. ...
Deuteronomy 21:21Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
Joshua 7:24-26Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor. / “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies. / And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.
Exodus 32:27-28He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.
1 Kings 18:40Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.
2 Samuel 21:1-9During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) / So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?” ...
Leviticus 20:2-5“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him. / And I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because by giving his offspring to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name. / And if the people of the land ever hide their eyes and fail to put to death the man who gives one of his children to Molech, ...
Psalm 106:28-31They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. / So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. / But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. ...
1 Corinthians 10:8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.
Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
1 Corinthians 5:13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
Galatians 5:24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Romans 8:13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Colossians 3:5Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Hebrews 10:28-29Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
Treasury of Scripture And the LORD said to Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. judges Exodus 18:21,25,26 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and placesuch over them,to be rulers of thousands,and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: … slay ye Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth untoany god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. Exodus 32:27,28 And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side,and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour… Deuteronomy 13:6,9,13,15 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, whichis as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; … Jump to Previous AngerBroadChiefsDaylightExecuteExposeHangHangingHeadsIsraelKillLeadersMosesOver-AgainstSunTurnTurnedJump to Next AngerBroadChiefsDaylightExecuteExposeHangHangingHeadsIsraelKillLeadersMosesOver-AgainstSunTurnTurnedNumbers 25 1.Israel at Shittim commit unfaithfulness and idolatry6.Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi10.God therefore gives him an everlasting priesthood16.The Midianites are to be troubledThen the LORD said to MosesThis phrase indicates direct divine communication, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch where God speaks to Moses as the leader of Israel. It underscores Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This communication reflects the covenant relationship where God provides guidance and commands to His chosen people through Moses. Take all the leaders of the people
The leaders mentioned here are likely those who were responsible for guiding the Israelites and maintaining order. Their involvement in the sin of idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women (as described earlier in the chapter) made them accountable. This highlights the biblical principle of leadership responsibility and the severe consequences of leading others into sin. and execute them in broad daylight
The public nature of the execution serves as a deterrent and a means of communal purification. Public executions were not uncommon in ancient cultures as a way to maintain social order and demonstrate the seriousness of certain offenses. This act was meant to restore the community's holiness and adherence to God's laws. before the LORD
This phrase emphasizes that the execution is not just a civil or communal act but a religious one, performed in the presence of God. It signifies that the sin was against God Himself, and the punishment is carried out under His authority. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where religious and civil matters were intertwined. so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel
God's anger is depicted as a response to the covenant unfaithfulness of the Israelites. The execution of the leaders is a form of atonement, intended to appease God's wrath and restore His favor. This concept of turning away divine anger is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in the sacrificial system, which foreshadows the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and just, and who demands faithfulness from His people. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to guide His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is the mediator between God and Israel. 3. Israelite LeadersThe heads of the tribes who were responsible for the spiritual and moral conduct of the people. Their failure to prevent idolatry and immorality led to severe consequences. 4. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were in a covenant relationship with Him but often fell into sin and idolatry. 5. The Event of Idolatry and ImmoralityThe Israelites engaged in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, which provoked God's anger. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin, especially idolatry and immorality, is taken very seriously by God. It disrupts the covenant relationship and invites His judgment. Leadership AccountabilityLeaders are held to a high standard and are accountable for the spiritual well-being of those they lead. Their failure can have dire consequences. God's Righteous AngerGod's anger is not arbitrary but is a response to covenant unfaithfulness. His desire is for repentance and restoration. The Need for RepentanceTurning away from sin and returning to God is essential to restore the relationship and avert His judgment. The Role of IntercessionMoses' role as an intercessor highlights the importance of prayer and mediation in seeking God's mercy. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Numbers 25:4?
2.How can we apply God's command to "execute the leaders" in our lives today?
3.What does Numbers 25:4 teach about God's response to idolatry and immorality?
4.How does Numbers 25:4 connect with God's holiness in Leviticus 19:2?
5.In what ways can we uphold God's standards in a modern context?
6.How can church leaders today address sin within their congregations effectively?
7.Why did God command Moses to execute the leaders in Numbers 25:4?
8.How does Numbers 25:4 reflect God's justice and mercy?
9.What historical context led to the events in Numbers 25:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 25?
11.Numbers 25:4–5: Why would a just and loving God command the public execution of Israel’s leaders without due process?
12.What is the main theme of the Book of Numbers?
13.Who inherits if a man dies without sons?
14.What does the Bible say about inheritance?What Does Numbers 25:4 Mean Then the LORD said to MosesNumbers 25 unfolds during Israel’s encampment at Shittim, where the nation “began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab” and bowed to Baal of Peor (25:1-3). The opening phrase grounds everything that follows in God’s direct revelation. • The Lord—not Moses, the elders, or popular opinion—sets the standard for dealing with sin (Exodus 20:1-3). • Divine speech establishes non-negotiable authority; Moses acts as God’s faithful servant (Numbers 12:7-8;Deuteronomy 34:10). • Throughout Scripture judgment begins with a word from God (1 Samuel 15:10-23;Jeremiah 1:4-10), reminding us that holiness flows from His character, not human preference.
Take all the leaders of the peopleThe instruction targets “the leaders,” those who should have restrained the nation but instead tolerated or even participated in idolatry. • Leadership carries heightened accountability (Luke 12:48;James 3:1). • By singling out chiefs, the Lord addresses root influence, not merely symptoms (Exodus 18:21; 32:25-28). • Israel’s elders were covenant representatives; their failure threatened the whole camp (Deuteronomy 29:18-21;Hosea 4:9).
And execute them in broad daylight before the LORDPublic, daylight execution underscores transparency and deterrence. • Sin had been flaunted openly (Numbers 25:6), so judgment must be equally visible (Deuteronomy 13:10-11; 17:5-7). • “Before the LORD” shows that this is not mob violence but sanctified justice carried out in God’s presence (Joshua 7:13-15;Acts 5:1-11). • The gravity of capital punishment reflects the gravity of covenant betrayal; idolatry is spiritual adultery deserving death (Exodus 22:20;Deuteronomy 18:20).
So that His fierce anger may turn away from IsraelGod’s wrath is personal, righteous, and purposeful. • Idolatry provokes divine wrath because it replaces the Creator with creation (Romans 1:18-25). • Swift judgment acts as propitiation—satisfying God’s justice and averting wider destruction (Numbers 16:46-50;Psalm 106:29-30). • The aim is restoration: once wrath is turned away, blessing can resume (2 Chronicles 7:14;Isaiah 12:1). • This foreshadows the ultimate turning away of wrath through Christ, who bore judgment on our behalf (Romans 3:25-26;1 John 2:2).
summaryNumbers 25:4 reveals a holy God who speaks with absolute authority, holds leaders to high accountability, demands public and righteous justice for public sin, and provides a way for His wrath to be turned aside. The verse underscores that covenant unfaithfulness endangers the entire community, yet decisive obedience to God’s word restores fellowship and protection. (4) Take all the heads of the people.--The "heads" or "chiefs" of the people seem to be identical with the "judges" of the following verse. Some understand by "all the heads" those only who had been the chief offenders, whilst others understand the word "take" as equivalent to "assemble," or "bring before thee," and refer the word "them" to the offenders. Hang them up . . . --It is obvious fromNumbers 25:5 that the punishment of impaling or crucifying was not to be inflicted until after death. The LXX. renders the Hebrew verb which is here used (and which is found also in2Samuel 21:6;2Samuel 21:9) by the same word which occurs inHebrews 6:6, and is there translated "to put to an open shame." Verse 4. - The Lord said unto Moses. It seems strange that so fearful an apostasy had gone so far without interference on the part of Moses. He may have been absent from the camp on account of the wars with the Amorite kings; or he may have trusted to the chiefs to see that due order and discipline was maintained in the camps. Take all the heads of the people,i.e., the chiefs, who ought to have prevented, and might have prevented, this monstrous irregularity, but who seem, if we may judge from the case of Zimri, to have countenanced it. The mere neglect of duty in so gross a case was reason enough for summary execution. Hang them up before the Lord. Either by way of impalement or by way of crucifixion, both of which were familiar modes of punishment. In this case the guilty persons were probably slain first, and exposed afterwards. The hanging up was not ordered on account of its cruelty, nor merely for the sake of publicity ("against the sun ), but in order to show that the victims were devoted to the wrath of God against sin (cf. Deuteronomy 21:23; 2 Samuel 21:2-6). The Septuagint has here παραδειγμάτισον αὐτούς. Cf. Hebrews 6:6, where this word is coupled with "crucify." Them is no authority for referring the "them" ( אותָם) to the guilty persons instead of to the heads of the people, as is done by the Targums and by many commentators.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָ֜ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelsaidוַיֹּ֨אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toMoses,מֹשֶׁ֗ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver“Takeקַ֚ח(qaḥ)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takeallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe leadersרָאשֵׁ֣י(rā·šê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218:The headof the peopleהָעָ֔ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockand executeוְהוֹקַ֥ע(wə·hō·w·qa‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3363:To sever oneself, to be dislocated, to abandon, to impalethem inנֶ֣גֶד(ne·ḡeḏ)Preposition
Strong's 5048:A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, beforebroad daylightהַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ(haš·šā·meš)Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121:The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlementbefore the LORD,לַיהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelso that Hisיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelfierceחֲר֥וֹן(ḥă·rō·wn)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2740:A burning of angerangerאַף־(’ap̄-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 639:The nose, nostril, the face, a person, iremay turn awayוְיָשֹׁ֛ב(wə·yā·šōḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againfrom Israel.”מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃(mî·yiś·rā·’êl)Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc
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OT Law: Numbers 25:4 Yahweh said to Moses Take all (Nu Num.) |
