Zimri in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

1. Numbers 25:8-14. Son of Salu, a chief of Simeon. When Israel were being plagued for the impure worship of Baal Peor, and were weeping and craving mercy before the tabernacle, Zimri shamelessly brought a Midianitess, Cozbi daughter of Zur, into the dome-shaped tent (qubbah, the al- cove, or arched inner recess appropriated to the women, or else a tent appropriated to Peor's vile worship) in sight of Moses and the congregation. Phinehas gained his "everlasting priesthood" by his zeal in thrusting both through, so that the plague was stayed. 2. Fifth sovereign of northern Israel; originally captain of half Elah's chariots; reigned only seven days, after having slain Elah son of Baasha, (while drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, steward of his house in Tirzah), and then all the house of Baasha, fulfilling the prophet Jehu's words: 929, 930 B.C. (1 Kings 16:1-4; 1 Kings 16:8-13; 1 Kings 16:15-20.) But the army then besieging the Philistine town Gibbethon proclaimed their captain Omri king; he marched against Tirzah and took it. Then Zimri burnt the palace over him and died. Thus treason punished treason; the slayer is slain. As Baasha conspired against Nadab, so Zimri against his son, and Omri against Zimri (Revelation 13:10; Matthew 26:52). 3. One of Zerah's five sons (1 Chronicles 2:6). 4. Jehoadah's son; sprung from Saul (1 Chronicles 8:36; 1 Chronicles 9:42). 5. A tribe of "the sons of the East" (Jeremiah 25:25); some identify them with the Zubra between Mecca and Medina (Genesis 25:2).