Keraia
Numbers 25

Numbers 25:1

Moab Seduces Israel · Numbers 25:1–5
Read Numbers 25

Translations

Modern
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,
Traditional
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
Literal
And Israel remained in Shittim, and the people began to prostitute themselves with the daughters of Moab.
Latin
Morabatur autem eo tempore Israël in Settim, et fornicatus est populus cum filiabus Moab,

Original

Hebrew
English
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,

Notes

Numbers 25:1

  • in Shittim: From here, Joshua later sent spies across the Jordan River, and the Hebrews began their conquest (Joshua 2:1; 3:1).

  • daughters of Moab: The Moabites and the Midianites both shared responsibility for what happened with Balaam (Numbers 22:2–4, 7; 31:8, 15–16).

Numbers 25:1–18

Israel was camped across the Jordan River from Jericho. They were almost ready to enter the land and begin the conquest. However, at this important moment, they fell into serious sin.

Balaam advised Israel’s enemies to lead the people into sexual immorality and idolatry at Baal-peor (31:16).

He could not harm Israel with a curse, so he chose another way. He led them into sin through lust and the worship of false gods.

The early church faced similar temptations. Believers were warned about idolatry and sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11).

Parallels

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan Shittim: The last Israelite campsite before crossing the Jordan

Glossary

Balaam Deuteronomy, Book of Idols, Idolatry Joshua, Book of Midian, Midianite Moab, Moabites Moses Nicolaitans Numbers, Book of Peor (Place) Prostitute, Prostitution Shittim (Place)

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Israel Seduced to Idolatry by Advice of Balaam Fellowship with the Wicked Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Peor Idolatry: Rites of, Obscene and Impure Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Moabites In Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Israel: Commit Idolatry with the People of Moab Midianites with the Moabites: Seduced Israel to Idolatry Miscegenation: Israel Moabites are a Snare to the Israelites Moabites: Israelites: Enticed to Idolatry By Shittim: Also Called Abel-Shittim: A Camping Place of Israel