Bible Figure
Zimri
prince of the Tribe of Simeon (Book of Numbers)
Zimri was a Simeonite leader killed by Phinehas during Israel's apostasy at Baal-peor after publicly bringing the Midianite woman Cozbi into the camp.
Biography
Numbers 25 recounts Israel becoming involved in sexual immorality and the worship of the Baal of Peor. During the resulting plague and public mourning, Zimri son of Salu, a leader of a Simeonite ancestral house, brought Cozbi daughter of a Midianite leader before his fellow Israelites and into his tent. Phinehas followed them and killed both, after which the plague stopped. The text later names Zimri and Cozbi explicitly in connection with the incident.
Biblical Significance
Zimri's deliberate defiance during the Baal-peor crisis exemplifies the intertwining of sexual immorality and idolatry that threatened Israel's covenant faithfulness. He should be distinguished from King Zimri of Israel.