Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 25

Abode in Shittim— i.e., Abel-Shittim (Numbers 33:49). (See Note on Numbers 22:1.)

And they called the people ... — The Moabitish women invited the Israelites to their sacrificial feasts, which were celebrated in honour of Baal-peor, who was worshipped in the city of Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29). He is supposed to be identical with Chemosh, the Moabitish god of war.

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, while others understand the word “take” as equivalent to “assemble,” or “bring before you,” and refer the word “them” to the offenders.

Hang them up ... — It is obvious from Numbers 25:5 that the punishment of impaling or crucifying was not to be inflicted until after death. The Septuagint renders the Hebrew verb which is here used (and which is found also in 2 Samuel 21:6; 2 Samuel 21:9) by the same word which occurs in Hebrews 6:6, and is there translated to put to an open shame.

And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest ... — In accordance with this punctuation, the designation the priest (which generally denotes the high priest) refers to Aaron, not to Phinehas. Eleazar was the high priest at this time (Numbers 20:26); and consequently—although as a general rule any designation which follows the words “the son of such an one” refers to the former, not to the latter noun—it appears most probable that the designation the priest has reference here to Aaron, not to Phinehas, who, although a priest, was not the high priest at this time. He was invested, however, with civil as well as ecclesiastical authority. (See 1 Chronicles 9:20, where he is described as a ruler—Hebrew, nagid.)

Into the tent.— The word k ubbah (tent, or alcove) occurs only in this place. The reference may be to the inner part of the ordinary tent which was occupied by the women; or it may denote an arched or vaulted tent (probably of skins), which the Israelites had erected while joining with the Moabites and Midianites in the lascivious worship of Baal-peor. The Septuagint has kaminos, the Vulgate lupanar.

Through her belly.— Or, within her tent. It is thought by some that the word used here was originally the same word that occurs in the earlier part of the verse, and is there rendered tent.

So the plague was stayed ... — It is probable that the judges were not duly obedient to the command of Moses, and, consequently, that a plague broke out from the Lord upon the people.