Shittimשִׁטִּים
Shittim · Hebrew Noun
A place name meaning "acacias," located in the plains of Moab east of the Jordan, where Israel camped before entering Canaan. It is infamous as the site of Israel's apostasy with Moabite women.
whoreזָנָה
zanah · Hebrew Verb
In a covenantal context, this denotes unfaithfulness to God, typically through idolatry or alliances with pagan nations. It is a metaphor for breaking the spiritual marriage bond between Yahweh and His people.
sacrificesזֶבַח
zebach · Hebrew Noun
A communal religious meal offered to an idol, often involving participation in rituals considered detestable to the LORD. Eating these sacrifices signified identification with and submission to the deity to whom they were offered.
Baalבַּעַל
Baal · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the Canaanite fertility deity, often identified as the patron of a city or region. Worshiping Baals represented a direct defiance of the first commandment and an act of spiritual adultery.
yoked himselfצָמַד
tsamad · Hebrew Verb
In this context, it signifies a forced joining or spiritual union with a false deity, akin to being bound under a yoke. It implies a total submission to the authority and influence of the pagan god.
the LORDיְהוָה
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel. It emphasizes His holiness, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His reaction against sin and apostasy.
angerאַף
aph · Hebrew Noun
The divine reaction of God's holiness against sin and rebellion. It is not an arbitrary passion but a righteous, judicial response that maintains the integrity of the covenant.
judgesשָׁפַט
shaphat · Hebrew Noun
A judicial or military leader responsible for the administration of justice and the enforcement of the law. They were expected to uphold the holiness of the community by dealing with internal rebellion.
people of Israelבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
beney Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun
A group of people descended from Abraham through Jacob, chosen by God to be His covenant people, set apart to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests.
Midianite womanמִדְיָנִית
Midyanith · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
An ancient people descended from Midian, a son of Abraham and Keturah, often associated with the desert regions east of the Jordan; in the context of Numbers, they were involved in leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality.
tent of meetingאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד
ohel mo'ed · Hebrew Noun
The central place of worship during Israel's wilderness wanderings where God manifested His presence and where Moses met with Him; it symbolizes the dwelling place of God among His people.
Phinehasפִּינְחָס
Phinehas · Hebrew Noun
The high priest who succeeded his father, Eleazar, and grandfather, Aaron; he is remembered for his zeal for the Lord and his decisive action in stopping divine judgment.
priestכֹּהֵן
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A member of the tribe of Levi, specifically a descendant of Aaron, authorized to offer sacrifices and mediate between God and the people; the priesthood was the sacred office established for the maintenance of the covenant.
plagueמַגֵּפָה
maggephah · Hebrew Noun
Divine judgment or affliction sent by God, often as a result of covenant disobedience, serving as both a punishment and a call for repentance to restore holiness to the community.
the LORDיהוה
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel; it signifies His eternal existence, His unchanging nature, and His faithfulness to His promises.
priestכֹּהֵן
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A person of priestly descent who serves as a mediator between God and humanity, offering sacrifices and performing religious rituals to maintain the covenant relationship.
wrathחֵמָה
chemah · Hebrew Noun
God’s intense, holy indignation against sin and unfaithfulness that threatens the purity of His people and His glory. It is not uncontrolled anger but a settled, righteous opposition to evil.
jealousyקִנְאָה
qin'ah · Hebrew Noun
A consuming passion or zeal for God’s honor, holiness, and the exclusivity of the covenant relationship, often manifesting in decisive action against anything that compromises that relationship.
covenantבְּרִית
berit · Hebrew Noun
An arrangement, pledge, or formal agreement established by God with humanity, binding Himself to His people through promises, duties, and signs of faithfulness.
peaceשָׁלוֹם
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A state of well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and relational harmony, often resulting from obedience to God and reconciliation with Him.
perpetualעוֹלָם
olam · Hebrew Adjective
Lasting or enduring throughout time without end; often used in the context of divine decrees or institutions that are established permanently.
atonementכַּפָּרָה
kapparah · Hebrew Noun
The act of covering sin through sacrifice or ritual, satisfying the requirements of divine justice and restoring a right relationship between God and His people.
LORDיְהוָה
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His covenantal faithfulness, eternal existence, and holiness.
Harassצָרַר
tsarar · Hebrew Verb
To cause distress, trouble, or to treat as an enemy. In a military or judicial context, it signifies executing judgment or active opposition against an adversary.
strike downנָכָה
nakah · Hebrew Verb
To hit, strike, or smite, often used in a military context to denote a decisive defeat, execution of judgment, or destruction of an enemy.
wilesנְכִילָה
nekilah · Hebrew Noun
Craftiness, cunning, or treacherous schemes intended to deceive or entrap others. It implies a malicious intent to cause moral or spiritual ruin.
beguiledנָכַל
nakal · Hebrew Verb
To deceive, seduce, or trick someone, often through falsehood or flattery, leading them away from the truth or into moral compromise.
Peorפְּעוֹר
Peor · Hebrew Proper Noun
A place name associated with the worship of Baal, representing a location of apostasy and idolatry where Israel fell into spiritual and sexual sin.
plagueמַגֵּפָה
maggephah · Hebrew Noun
A term used for a sudden, divine judgment or stroke of affliction upon a people, often as a direct consequence of sin or rebellion against God.
