zimri Summary and Overview

praise-worthy. (1.) A son of Salu, slain by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, because of his wickedness in bringing a Midianitish woman into his tent (Num. 25:6-15). (2.) Murdered Elah at Tirzah, and succeeded him on the throne of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-10). He reigned only seven days, for Omri, whom the army elected as king, laid siege to Tirzah, whereupon Zimri set fire to the palace and perished amid its ruins (11-20). Omri succeeded to the throne only after four years of fierce war with Tibni, another claimant to the throne.

1. The son of Salu, a Simeonite chieftain, slain by Phinehas with the Midianitish princess Cozbi. #Nu 25:14|. (B.C. 1450.) 2. Fifth sovereign of the separate kingdom of Israel, of which he occupied the throne for the brief period of seven days, B.C. 930 or 929. Originally in command of half the chariots in the royal army, he gained the crown by the murder of King Elah; son of Baasha. But the army made their general, Omri, king, who marched against Tirzah, where Zimri was. Zimri retreated into the innermost part of the late king's palace, set it on fire, and perished in the ruins. #1Ki 16:9-20| 3. One of the five sons of Zerah the son of Judah. #1Ch 2:6| (B.C. after 1706.) 4. Son of Jehoadah and descendant of Saul. #1Ch 8:36; 9:42| 5. An obscure name, mentioned #Jer 25:25| in probable connection with Dedan, Tema, Buz, Arabia, the "mingled people." Nothing further is known respecting Zimri, but the name may possibly be the same as, or derived from, ZIMRAN, which see.

ZIM'RI (snug). 1. A Simeonite chief. Num 25:14. 2. A captain under Elah, and a king of Israel. 1 Kgs 16:9-20. 1. A descendant of Judah, 1 Chr 2:6; called Zabdi in Josh 7:1, Josh 7:17-18. 2. A descendant of Saul. 1 Chr 8:36; 1 Chr 9:42.

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).