The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 25:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And there were slain four and twenty thousand men.

Douay-Rheims

וַיִּהְי֕וּ הַמֵּתִ֖ים בַּמַּגֵּפָ֑ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים אָֽלֶף׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Tertullian

3rd centuryTeacher of the Church

We can find examples from ancient times that validate our understanding of both the concealed and overt consequences of fornication. The punishment was severe enough that twenty-four thousand individuals who engaged in such acts with the daughters of Midian faced swift retribution. However, for the sake of honoring Christ, I choose to learn from His teachings.

Cf. Matthew 5:28

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.