Am I wrong to think it's mass beheadings we're dealing with here?

Question

Numbers 25:4 (King James Version)

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel."

Answer 1

Yep... the usual caring loving god

Answer 2

probably not but who was it they beheaded.
Numbers 25
Moab Seduces Israel
1 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.

4 The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD's fierce anger may turn away from Israel."

5 So Moses said to Israel's judges, "Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor."

6 Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

a very differant interpritation the heads being the leaders ??

Answer 3

Do you like old American Westerns? Frontier justice is not for the week kneed. 'The Searchers' is an excelent example of justice, in the extreme. Pride, and prejudice. But, through it all, you might get a glimpse of a redemption. At a certain point, Moses was told he could not enter the promised land. Can you read what you just asked, and see why he could not cross over with Joshua, and Caleb? He was the Head of Israel, and Israel left him in the sun...I think he was hanging onto them for support...capital drama...

Answer 4

1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto the Baal of Peor; and the anger of HaShem was kindled against Israel.
4 And HaShem said unto Moses: 'Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up unto HaShem in face of the sun, that the fierce anger of HaShem may turn away from Israel.'
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel: 'Slay ye every one his men that have joined themselves unto the Baal of Peor.'

so not exactly, but not entirely wrong either.

Answer 5

No. "Heads" here is being used in the meaning of "leaders".

From Strong's:
"From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literally or figuratively (in many applications, of place, time, rank, etc.): - band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief (-est place, man, things), company, end, X every [man], excellent, first, forefront, ([be-]) head, height, (on) high (-est part, [priest]), X lead, X poor, principal, ruler, sum, top."

Answer 6

And these guys are just following the same god
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/28062007/3/world-police-find-20-beheaded-bodies-iraq.html

Answer 7

Your right. He made them do this to save their own skin. Talk about religious intolerance! I hope it was just men who thought this was true and not actually the viewpoint of God himself.

Answer 8

There are several accounts in the bible where people are beheaded. All in the name of god of course, so it's OK.

Answer 9

ever heard of the term "hang your head in shame?'

Answer 10

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070628/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq