Numbers 25:3

Translations

Modern

So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.

Traditional

And Israel joined himself unto Baal–peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

Literal

And Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of YHWH was kindled against Israel.

Latin

Initiatusque est Israël Beelphegor: et iratus Dominus,

Original

Hebrew

English

So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.

Notes

Numbers 25:3

Baal of Peor might refer to Chemosh by another name (21:29). More likely, it refers to Baal, which means “lord.” Baal was a Canaanite god. The Moabites honored several gods, and Baal was probably one of them.
Many place names include the name Baal, such as Baal-gad, Baal-hermon, Baal-meon, and Baal-peor. These names likely marked local shrines where people worshiped Baal in different forms.
Peor was a mountain from which Balaam could see the camp of Israel in the plains of Moab. Nearby was a shrine called Beth-peor (23:28; 25:3, 5, 18; 31:16; Deuteronomy 3:29; 4:3, 46; 34:6; Joshua 13:20; 22:17).
Israel’s worship of false gods made the Lord very angry. As a result, a plague broke out among the people (Numbers 25:8–9; 26:1; compare 11:1, 10; 12:9).

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Eleazar Moab and Ammon Moses Holy War Purity and Identity

Related verses

Joshua 22:17
Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD.
Psalm 106:28–29
They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.
Hosea 9:10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.
Numbers 25:5
So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”
Jeremiah 17:4
And you yourself will relinquish the inheritance that I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, for you have kindled My anger; it will burn forever.”
Psalm 90:11
Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.
Deuteronomy 4:3–4
Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.
Judges 2:20
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice,
Judges 2:14
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

Parallels

1 Corinthians 10:1–13

People

Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant" Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Baal-Peor Balaam Beth-Peor Deuteronomy, Book of Gods and Goddesses Idols, Idolatry Joshua, Book of Midian, Midianite Moab, Moabites Moses Numbers, Book of Peor (Deity) Peor (Place) Shittim (Place)

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Anger: Anger of God Baal-Peor: An Idol of Moab 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 Moabites are a Snare to the Israelites Moabites: Israelites: Enticed to Idolatry By The Jews: Often Displeased God by Their Sins

Numbers 25:3

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