The solution to the discrepancy in the death of Numbers 25:9 and Paul’s is Paul limited his number to “one day.” Moses mourned the death of those executed by the judges (Nu 25:5) and killed by the ongoing plague. The 24,000 figure is a summary figure, that is, round numbers. In addition, 24,000 included the death of the leaders (Nu 25:4), whereas Paul’s did not.
