John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And he went after the man of Israel into the tent , etc.] Into which he went with his harlot; the word here used is different from what is commonly used for a tent: Aben Ezra observes that in the Kedarene or Arabic language there is a word near to it, which Bochart, putting the article “al” to it, says f405 , is “alkobba”, from whence is the word “alcove” with us; and Aben Ezra says, there was some little difference between the form of a tent and this, as well as others observe there was in the matter of it, this being of skins and leather, and the other of hair, boughs of trees, etc. the author of Aruch says, it was short, or narrow above and broad below, and interprets it a place in which whores were put; and so it is used in the Talmud for a brothel house, and is so translated here by some interpreters f409 : and thrust both of them through ; with his javelin, spear, or pike; the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly ; by which, it seems, they were killed in the very act of uncleanness; this was an extraordinary action, done by a person of public authority, and under a more than common emotion of spirit, and not to be drawn into an example by persons of a private character: so the plague was stayed from the children of Israel ; which had broke out among them and carried off many; even a disease, the pestilence, according to Josephus f410 ; it ceasing upon this fact of Phinehas, shows that that was approved of by the Lord.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-15 - Phinehas, in the courage of zeal and faith, executed vengeance on Zimr and Cozbi. This act can never be an example for private revenge, or religious persecution, or for irregular public vengeance.
Original Hebrew ויבא935 אחר310 אישׁ376 ישׂראל3478 אל413 הקבה6898 וידקר1856 את853 שׁניהם8147 את853 אישׁ376 ישׂראל3478 ואת853 האשׁה802 אל413 קבתה6897 ותעצר6113 המגפה4046 מעל5921 בני1121 ישׂראל׃3478
