What an awful visitation is implied in these verses! For I would have the Reader remark, that nothing more is said of it, than it is the fierce anger of the LORD; and the dreadful effects are mentioned in the course of the chapter; that no less than four and twenty thousand of the people became the victims of it. Perhaps it was by the plague, or some other epidemical disease. Reader! behold in it the awful consequences of sin. You plainly perceive, that Israel's own sins did that, which all the machinations and enchantments of Balaam could not accomplish. GOD was turned (as the prophet speaks) to be their enemy, and fought against them, Isaiah 63:10.
Related Commentaries of Numbers 25:4
Numbers 25:4-5
4 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.
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.