Zimri & Cozbi: Defiance and Judgment at Peor

Zimri & Cozbi: Defiance and Judgment at Peor

Zimri and Cozbi stand as a striking example of open rebellion against God’s covenant. Their public sin during Israel’s wilderness journey provoked a deadly plague and a swift act of judgment that restored God’s honor.

Name & Etymology

Zimri (זִמְרִי, Zimrî, pronounced zim-ree) means “my music” or “my praise.”

Cozbi (כָּזְבִּי, Kozbî, pronounced koz-bee; sometimes spelled Cosbi) means “deceiver” or “false.”

In the Septuagint (LXX) their names appear as Ζαμβρι (Zambri) and Χασβί (Chasbi), carrying the same meanings.

Biblical Narrative

Their account is recorded in Numbers 25:6–9.

• Brazen Sin: As Israel camped at Shittim, some men began worshiping Moabite gods and engaging in immorality. “One of the Israelite men brought a Midianite woman into his tent, right before the eyes of Moses and all the people, as everyone was weeping at the entrance of the Tabernacle” (Numbers 25:6, NLT). This man was Zimri, a leader from the tribe of Simeon. The woman was Cozbi, daughter of a Midianite chief.

• Plague and Judgment: God’s anger flared, and a plague broke out. “Phinehas son of Eleazar… rushed after the man into his tent. Phinehas thrust a spear all the way through the man’s body and into the woman’s stomach. So the plague against the Israelites was stopped” (Numbers 25:7–8, NLT). Twenty-four thousand died before it ended.

• Names Revealed: Numbers 25:14–15 names them explicitly, forever linking their public defiance to the deadly outbreak.

Historical & Cultural Context

This event occurred near the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, when Moabite and Midianite women seduced the people to idolatry—a strategy Balaam had advised (Numbers 31:16). Zimri and Cozbi’s act was not private weakness but open, defiant idolatry at the very center of Israel’s worship.

Character & Themes

They embody arrogant defiance. Their names—“my music” and “deceiver”—ironically highlight the lure of pleasure and the falsehood of sin.

Connection to Christ

Their rebellion highlights the need for atonement through a righteous priest. Phinehas’ zeal points ahead to Jesus, who through His own sacrifice stops the plague of sin once and for all.

Theological Significance

Zimri and Cozbi remind us that flagrant, unrepentant sin endangers the whole community and provokes God’s righteous judgment.

Myths & Misconceptions

• Myth: Their sin was merely sexual.

  
  

  Truth: It was spiritual treachery—worshiping Baal of Peor and defying God’s covenant.

• Myth: Phinehas acted rashly.

  
  

  Truth: God commended him for turning away wrath (Numbers 25:10–13).

Application

Their story warns against public, defiant sin and calls us to decisive action against idolatry and immorality in our own lives.

Conclusion

Zimri and Cozbi’s names stand as a lasting testimony to the danger of blatant rebellion. Their fate calls every generation to worship God alone and to guard holiness in both heart and community.