Zur צוּר
Midianite leader killed by Phinehas
Who is Zur in the Bible?
Zur was a Midianite leader and one of the five kings of Midian during the time of Moses, described as a "head of the people of a father's house in Midian" (Numbers 25:15). His daughter became involved with an Israelite man, leading both of them into the Israelite camp, which violated God's covenant and triggered a devastating plague among Israel. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, killed both the Israelite man and Zur's daughter, which immediately stopped the plague and demonstrated God's response to covenant violation (Numbers 25:6-8, 14-15). Zur's story illustrates the serious consequences of intermarriage and idolatry among God's people and highlights Phinehas's zealous action in preserving Israel's holiness.
Biography
Zur Zur was one of the five kings of Midian during the time of Moses. He is described as "head of the people of a father's house in Midian" (Num.25.15). When the Israelites began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab and Midian, one Israelite man brought a Midianite woman into the camp. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, killed both the Israelite man and the Midianite woman, who was the daughter of Zur (Num.25.6-8,14-15). This act stopped a plague that had broken out among the Israelites as punishment for their sin.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 25:15
"And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | צוּר |