Numbers 25 & 26 (from par'shah's Balak and Pinhas)

[alon]

So why pull Num 25 and 26 out of the two parashah’s, Balak and Pinhas, and give them their own interpretation? Ch. 25 is the story of the Israeli men who whored with the Moabite women, the plague God sent as punishment, and Phinehas who killed the couple caught en flagrant délit thus moving God to stop the plague. Ch. 26 is a census taken before the war with the Moabites and then on into Canaan. The answer is found in Numbers 26:63-65:

"These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun." (ESV)

All the remainder of the generation which had refused to trust God, enter and take the Promised Land had died in the plague; the exceptions being Caleb and Joshua.

In ch. 25, intermarriage and intermingling with non-Hebrew mates brings idolatry as their spouses/partners invite them to worship with them; in this case worship of the Moabite god Baal-peor. Baal-peor is a Moabite manifestation of the fertility and storm god Baal; a Canaanite high god. The golden calf at Mt. Sinai is a common representation of Baal.

Numbers 25:4 (ESV) And 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.”

Leaders, whether guilty of the act or not are responsible for the actions of those under their charge. Their execution would serve as expiation for Israel’s sin. However Moses apparently intercedes for them and only kills the guilty. At that time one Israeli man committed a particularly egregious offense: as the proclamation for punishment had gone out, and a plague had been called down on his people; this man in sight of the entrance to the Tent of Meeting brought a Midianite woman into a chamber (Heb. ha’kuba, probably part of the cultic area) to fornicate with her. This would have made their dalliance a form of pagan worship. These were not just anyone, as Numbers 25:14-15 identifies them:

“The name of the slain man of Israel, who was killed with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, chief of a father's house belonging to the Simeonites. And the name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, who was the tribal head of a father's house in Midian.” (ESV)

The association with the Moabites and Midianites was given in Num 22:4. These were two very influential people in their own clans. Such a slap at God and the total disregard for the Hebrew people could not go unpunished. Phineas, son of Eleazer and grandson of Aaron took a spear, went in and skewered them both through their bellies. They probably died in slow agony, their cries and groans would have been heard by others. This act of zealitry however appeased the wrath of God, and He stops the plague as well as rewarding Phinehas with a pact of friendship which would have guaranteed divine protection.

The second census was then taken; the first being the one at Sinai. This was necessary on two counts: one to number the fighting men for the wars the nation was about to embark on, and second so that the land could be fairly divided between the tribes. Ch. 26 ends with the statement that the punishment of the wilderness generation was complete, implying the way is now clear for Moses to die and the nation of Israel to enter and conquer the Promised Land.

Dan C

edit: for par'shah Balak, see theloveofgod.proboards.com/thread/1883/parashah-balak-2007?page=1&scrollTo=19146

for par'shah Pinchas see theloveofgod.proboards.com/thread/1939/parashah-pinchas-commentary?page=1&scrollTo=19154

[alon]

In one post in the thread “par’shah Balak” I made the point Baal was a common deity in all mid-eastern religions of the time. According to the notes in my JPS Study TNK, “Baal-peor is the local manifestation of the fertility-storm god, the high god of the Canaanite religion ... The calf image the Israelites fashioned of gold and then worshiped at Sinai is a common representation of Baal." This ties the two generations of Israelites with the same sin before they were to enter the Promised Land both times. Here all the remainder of those who were alive and refused to enter and take possession of the land were either killed in the plague or impaled as God sent punishment for this latest transgression (Num 25 & 26); just as those who worshiped the calf were put to the sword in Ex 32. Both times a census was taken, and so it was confirmed that of that generation who was freed from Egypt, who witnessed all the miracles of God yet still refused to trust Him and enter and take possession of the land, only Joshua, Caleb and Moses (who would die in sight of the Promised Land) were left.

There is a lesson here in trans-generational sin. Numbers 14:18 (ESV) ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ God understands how the attitudes that cause the same sins are passed from one generation to the next. Here we see the new Hebrew generation participating in the same sins for which their fathers generation had been so severely punished.

The plague probably killed many who did not participate in the sins of intermingling, fornicating or idolatry. This underscores that we are all responsible for the sins of the nation. There were no innocents, as those who did not stand up and speak out were just as guilty as those who sinned. We even have a lesson in the action of Phineas and his subsequent reward, as well as the reward for the nation that the plague was stopped. We may even be required to act; to act boldly and decisively and even to do what might be outside the law.

Those bakers in Oregon who refused to bake a wedding cake for a homosexual (NOT “gay”) couple understand this. They lost their business and were exorbitantly fined, however they took a stand. When this country is judged, I’d rather be them than the homosexual couple or the judge or lawyers. Many others have lost much for speaking out for what is right. But the fact is if even a sizeable minority of the good people of this country would have taken a stand our government would never have dared punish these people for standing for God’s truth. We are all guilty, and judgment when it comes will fall on all of us.

Just a few more thoughts on this passage in scripture.

Dan C

[alon]

Well, as I seem to be the only one thinking about this ... ( and it do strain me brain ... )

We've all heard the saying "It's lonely at the top." But consider what it must have been like for Yehoshua (Joshua) when he took over leadership of the Hebrew nation at a time when they faced many wars with fierce opponents and strong walled cities. Not only was he called to lead a people, his entire generation had been wiped out. He was truly alone; alone to lead a stiff necked people who we have just seen were much like their fathers. But God in His infinite mercy did provide him one person who could have been a confidante. Someone he may have leaned on for advice; a man who was as zealous for God and the nation as he was. Calev, the only other spy to bring back a good report. The only man to stand strong with him in saying "Go, take the land!"

One of the ways we see the elderly prepared to pass is that they see their friends and relatives go, and they become accustomed to the idea they too will soon die. But think of Yehoshua, who saw his entire generation, as well as those that preceded him die in the wilderness. The last went as a bunch in the plague. This could well have devastated the morale of the leader to the point he could become ineffective. But God, having chose his man well and prepared him for the task, also left him someone to confide in; a familiar face and a friend to lean on. Many dismiss Calev, as we hear little of him. He led a tribe, but Yehoshua got the call to lead the nation. Yet I would say Calev's role was every bit as important as Yehoshua's.

Not to take anything from Yehoshua; he is my favorite Biblical character, and the book which bears his name my favorite book. But in taking our lessons from the great, we should never dismiss those they lean on: or those whose role may seem trivial but which in the eternal scheme of things may be pivotal. Remember the scripture (I'm sure it is scriptural ) "For want of a nail, ... the war was lost." If there'd only been a farrier handy ...

Dan C

[Loxody]

The Rabbis say that Pinchas went and asked advice from Moshe before killing Zimri and Cozbi. On the surface, that may seem very far-fetched.

To make sense of it you need to look at the end of Parashat Balak as well as Pinchas.


At the end of Parashat Balak HaShem commands Moses “seize all the ringleaders and hang them before Adonai facing the sun, so that Adonai’s fierce anger may be turned away from Israel” (Numbers 25:4 TLV).
Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you, kill your men who have been joining themselves to Baal of Peor.” (Numbers 25:5 TLV).

Moses didn't say to the people of Israel exactly what G-d said to him, which gave Pinchas some doubt as to whether or not he should just go and kill Zimri, when G-d actually commanded them to "hang them before HaShem facing the sun" -- that led him to get the advice of Moshe. Moshe then gave him the go-ahead to do it, taking all responsibility on himself for the command he gave to Israel.

[alon]

Jul 8, 2015 10:51:26 GMT -8 Loxody said:

The Rabbis say that Pinchas went and asked advice from Moshe before killing Zimri and Cozbi. On the surface, that may seem very far-fetched.

To make sense of it you need to look at the end of Parashat Balak as well as Pinchas.


At the end of Parashat Balak HaShem commands Moses “seize all the ringleaders and hang them before Adonai facing the sun, so that Adonai’s fierce anger may be turned away from Israel” (Numbers 25:4 TLV).
Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you, kill your men who have been joining themselves to Baal of Peor.” (Numbers 25:5 TLV).

Moses didn't say to the people of Israel exactly what G-d said to him, which gave Pinchas some doubt as to whether or not he should just go and kill Zimri, when G-d actually commanded them to "hang them before HaShem facing the sun" -- that led him to get the advice of Moshe. Moshe then gave him the go-ahead to do it, taking all responsibility on himself for the command he gave to Israel.

If this is from the Mishna, I'd say it is a very good possibility. They were closer to the event and had access to documents as well as 1st hand accounts that we don't have. If from the Gemara, or other later works, I'd say not so much (though still possible). The account given here in scripture is sketchy at best, and apparently Moshe made some sort of intercession before changing the orders. Otherwise there would have been some form of repercussion.

I personally believe that Phineas acted on his own out of zealotry, love of God and His people. First off, he apparently caught them together, so not enough time had passed to go to Moshe, then Moshe to go to God and get back with the elders and Phineas. He got up, went in and ran them through before they could complete their act of defilement of the sanctified space. Also, had he went and asked permission instead of taking initiative, what would have been the justification for God to give him a covenant of friendship? Or to stop the plague on account of his act?

Interesting to speculate and try and fill in the blanks.

Dan C