“Attack the Midianites and destroy them,
Parallel translations
- WEB “Harass the Midianites, and strike them,
- KJV Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
- BSB “Attack the Midianites and strike them dead.
- NKJV “Harass the Midianites, and attack them;
- NASB “Be hostile to the Midianites and attack them;
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God commands Israel to harass and strike the Midianites. Those who deliberately led Israel into sin are to face judgment.
Overview
The LORD orders hostility against Midian because of their role in seducing Israel into idolatry and immorality. This is not arbitrary aggression but a response to deliberate spiritual sabotage of God's people. The command reflects God's protection of His covenant nation and His judgment on those who entice others into sin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Rev 18:6Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.
- Num 31:1–3Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 25:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.