Overview
Zur was a Midianite king and father of Cozbi, whose daughter seduced the Israelite Zimri into idolatry and sexual immorality at Peor. This sin provoked God's judgment against Israel, resulting in a plague that killed 24,000 people. Zur was subsequently killed in Israel's war against Midian as divine judgment.
Key Scriptures
"The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur, who was a tribal leader of a Midianite people." (Numbers 25:15, ESV)
"Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord." (Numbers 31:16, ESV)
"So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel." (Numbers 25:3, ESV)
Application
Zur's account warns believers that seduction into worldly compromise and idolatry invites God's judgment, emphasizing the need for separation from ungodly influences.