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Numbers 25:14 - Prince's tragic moral failure

Numbers 25:14 - במדבר 25:14

Hebrew Text

וְשֵׁם אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמֻּכֶּה אֲשֶׁר הֻכָּה אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִית זִמְרִי בֶּן־סָלוּא נְשִׂיא בֵית־אָב לַשִּׁמְעֹנִי׃

English Translation

Now the name of the man of Yisra᾽el that was slain, that was slain with the Midyanite woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a father’s house among the Shim῾oni.

Transliteration

V'shem ish Yisrael hamukeh asher hukah et-haMidyanit Zimri ben-Salu nesiv beit-av laShimoni.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשֵׁם֩ אִ֨ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַמֻּכֶּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֻכָּה֙ אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית זִמְרִ֖י בֶּן־סָל֑וּא נְשִׂ֥יא בֵֽית־אָ֖ב לַשִּׁמְעֹנִֽי׃
וְשֵׁם֩ אִ֨ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַמֻּכֶּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֻכָּה֙ אֶת־הַמִּדְיָנִ֔ית זִמְרִ֖י בֶּן־סָל֑וּא נְשִׂ֥יא בֵֽית־אָ֖ב לַשִּׁמְעֹנִֽי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bamidbar 25:14) describes the identity of Zimri ben Salu, a leader of the tribe of Shimon, who was killed alongside the Midianite woman Kozbi bat Tzur. This event occurred during the incident of Baal Peor, where Bnei Yisrael were led astray by the Midianites into idolatry and immorality.

Zimri's Status and Role

Rashi (on Bamidbar 25:14) emphasizes that Zimri was not just an ordinary Israelite but a נשיא בית אב לשמעוני ("a prince of a father’s house among the Shimonites"). This indicates his high social and tribal standing, making his sin particularly grievous. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:23) elaborates that Zimri deliberately flaunted his sin publicly, bringing Kozbi into the camp in defiance of Moshe and the leadership.

The Severity of the Sin

  • The Talmud (Sanhedrin 82a) discusses how Zimri’s act was not merely one of personal immorality but a rebellion against Hashem’s commandments, as it involved both idolatry (Baal Peor) and illicit relations.
  • Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Biah 12:4) cites this episode as a cautionary example of how leaders must be especially vigilant in avoiding sin, as their actions influence the entire nation.

Pinchas’s Response

The Torah juxtaposes Zimri’s identity with Pinchas’s zealous act (Bamidbar 25:7-8), highlighting the contrast between Zimri’s public desecration of Hashem’s name and Pinchas’s defense of Divine honor. The Midrash (Tanchuma Pinchas 2) notes that Zimri’s high status made Pinchas’s intervention even more critical, as it demonstrated that no one—regardless of rank—is above accountability.

Lessons from Zimri’s Downfall

The Or HaChaim (Bamidbar 25:14) explains that Zimri’s name is recorded explicitly as a warning against the dangers of arrogance and misuse of power. His position as a leader magnified both his sin and its consequences, teaching that greater authority brings greater responsibility.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 82a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about Zimri's actions and the consequences of his sin, particularly in the context of the zealotry of Pinchas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Zimri in the Torah?
A: Zimri was a prince from the tribe of Shimon (Shimoni) who sinned by publicly engaging in a forbidden relationship with a Midianite woman, as described in Numbers 25. His actions led to a plague among the Israelites until Pinchas (Phinehas) intervened.
Q: Why is Zimri mentioned by name in the Torah?
A: The Torah mentions Zimri by name to emphasize the severity of his sin—he was a leader (נשיא, 'nasi') who should have set an example but instead acted rebelliously. Rashi explains that his high status made his transgression even more damaging to the nation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Zimri's story?
A: Zimri’s story teaches the dangers of giving in to desire and ignoring Torah law, especially for leaders. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 82a) discusses how his public sin required immediate action to prevent further moral decay among Bnei Yisrael.
Q: How does this verse connect to Pinchas (Phinehas)?
A: This verse sets the context for Pinchas’s zealous act (killing Zimri and the Midianite woman), which stopped the plague. Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Biah 12:4) cites this incident as an extreme case where drastic action was necessary to uphold Torah values.
Q: Why was Zimri punished so severely?
A: Zimri was punished severely because he sinned openly (בפרהסיה) as a leader, causing a chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d’s name). The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:23) states that his arrogance in sinning publicly demanded a strong response to preserve the sanctity of the nation.