Numbers 25:8 - Exposition

Into the tent. אֶל־הַקֻּבָּה . Septuagint, εἰς τὴν κάμινον . The word signifies an arched recess (cf. the Arabic "alcove," from the same root, and the Latin fornix ) , and means probably the inner division which served as the women's room in the larger tents of the wealthier Israelites. There is no sufficient ground for supposing that a special place had been erected for this evil purpose; if it had been, it would surely have been destroyed. Through her belly. אֶל־קָבָתָהּ . Septuagint, διὰ τῆς μήτρας αὐτῆς . So the plague was stayed. No plague has been mentioned, but the narrative evidently deals with an episode the details of which were very fresh in the memory of all, and is extremely concise. That a plague would follow such an apostasy might be certainly expected from the previous experiences at Kibroth-hattaavah, at Kadesh, and after the rebellion of Korah.