Cozbi is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Numbers. She is a Midianite woman who plays a significant role in the narrative concerning the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Her account is intertwined with the events that led to a severe divine judgment upon the Israelites due to their idolatry and immorality.

Biblical Account

Cozbi is introduced in Numbers 25, during a time when the Israelites were encamped at Shittim. The Israelites began to engage in immoral behavior with the women of Moab, which led them to participate in the worship of the Moabite gods, particularly Baal of Peor. This idolatry provoked the LORD's anger against Israel.

Numbers 25:6-8 describes the critical moment involving Cozbi: "Just then, one of the Israelites came and brought a Midianite woman to his family in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, rose up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand, followed the Israelite into the tent, and drove it through both of them—the Israelite and the woman—through her belly. So the plague against the Israelites was halted."

Cozbi is identified as the daughter of Zur, a prominent Midianite leader. Her involvement with an Israelite man, Zimri son of Salu, a leader from the tribe of Simeon, is seen as a blatant act of defiance against God's commandments. The union between Cozbi and Zimri symbolizes the broader issue of Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and immorality.

Theological Significance

Cozbi's account is a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. Her actions, along with those of Zimri, represent a direct challenge to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The swift and decisive action taken by Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry and immorality among His people.

Phinehas's zeal in executing judgment upon Cozbi and Zimri is commended by God, who grants him a "covenant of peace" and a "lasting priesthood" (Numbers 25:12-13) as a reward for his actions. This event highlights the importance of holiness and the need for leaders to take a stand against sin within the community.

Cultural and Historical Context

The incident involving Cozbi occurs during a period when the Israelites were vulnerable to external influences as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations was a constant threat to their distinct identity as God's chosen people. Cozbi, as a Midianite, represents these external influences that sought to lead Israel astray.

The Midianites, along with the Moabites, were seen as adversaries to Israel during this time. The alliance between Cozbi and Zimri is not merely a personal affair but a symbol of the broader spiritual and cultural conflict between Israel and the pagan nations surrounding them.

Legacy

Cozbi's account serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative, illustrating the perils of compromising one's faith and the necessity of remaining faithful to God's commands. Her actions and the subsequent judgment serve as a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to uphold the sanctity of the covenant relationship with God.Cozbi

a liar; sliding away

Cozbi

(deceitful), daughter of Zur, a chief of the Midianites. (Numbers 25:15,18)

COZBI

koz'-bi (kozbi, "deceitful"): A Midianite woman, distinguished as the daughter of Zur, "head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian." She was slain by Phinehas at Shittim in company with "Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among the Simeonites" (Numbers 25:6-18).

3579. Kozbi -- a woman of Midian
... 3578, 3579. Kozbi. 3580 . a woman of Midian. Transliteration: Kozbi
Phonetic Spelling: (koz-bee') Short Definition: Cozbi. ... Cozbi. ...
/hebrew/3579.htm - 6k

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... Phinehas the zealous pierced and gave me, on the head of his spear for my delight,
Zimri and Cozbi both together; on the head of his lance he presented them to ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm

Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... Even Zimri, the head of the tribe of Simeon accompanied with Cozbi, a Midianitish
women, who was the daughter of Sur, a man of authority in that country; and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning balaam the.htm

The Justice of God
... men dead in the very act of sin. Thus he struck Zimri and Cozbi in the
act of uncleanness. (4.) If God lets men prosper a while ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... [888] Zimri was head of the tribe of Simeon, yet Cozbi, daughter of the chiefs of
Midian, overthrew him, and because of one woman twenty-four thousand of ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration vi of monks.htm

Cozbi (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia COZBI. koz'-bi (kozbi, "deceitful ... 6-18).
Multi-Version Concordance Cozbi (2 Occurrences). Numbers 25 ...
/c/cozbi.htm - 7k

Midianitish (4 Occurrences)
... mid'-i-an-it-ish, (ha-midhyanith, "the Midianitess"): The designation given to the
daughter of Zur, Cozbi, whom Zimri the son of Salu brought into the camp of ...
/m/midianitish.htm - 8k

Mid'ian (47 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the
daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. ...
/m/mid'ian.htm - 20k

Midianite (11 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter
of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. ...
/m/midianite.htm - 13k

Smitten (215 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 and the name of the woman who is smitten, the Midianitess, 'is' Cozbi
daughter of Zur, head of a people -- of the house of a father in Midian 'is ...
/s/smitten.htm - 38k

Midian (60 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter
of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. ...
/m/midian.htm - 32k

Slain (235 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter
of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. ...
/s/slain.htm - 38k

Vex (20 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you
in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince ...
/v/vex.htm - 14k

Zur (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter
of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. ...
/z/zur.htm - 10k

Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... mid'-i-an-it-ish, (ha-midhyanith, "the Midianitess"): The designation given to the
daughter of Zur, Cozbi, whom Zimri the son of Salu brought into the camp of ...
/w/woman.htm - 45k

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