Numbers 25:14-15

25:14 Now the name of the Israelite who was stabbed – the one who was stabbed with the Midianite woman – was Zimri son of Salu, a leader of a clan ¹  of the Simeonites. 25:15 The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi daughter of Zur. He was a leader ²  over the people of a clan of Midian. ³ 

Numbers 25:18

25:18 because they bring trouble to you by their treachery with which they have deceived ⁴  you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, ⁵  their sister, who was killed on the day of the plague that happened as a result of Peor.”

[25:14]  ¹ tn Heb “a father’s house.” So also in v. 15.

[25:15]  ² tn Heb “head.”

[25:15]  ³ sn The passage makes it clear that this individual was a leader, one who was supposed to be preventing this thing from happening. The judgment was swift and severe, because the crime was so great, and the danger of it spreading was certain. Paul refers to this horrible incident when he reminds Christians not to do similar things (1 Cor 10:6-8).

[25:18]  ⁴ tn This is the same word as that translated “treachery.”

[25:18]  ⁵ sn Cozbi’s father, Zur, was one of five Midianite kings who eventually succumbed to Israel (Num 31:8). When the text gives the name and family of a woman, it is asserting that she is important, at least for social reasons, among her people.