King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
Complete Jewish Bible:
These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, where the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
Berean Standard Bible:
who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods.
American Standard Version:
for they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they called{H7121} the people{H5971} unto the sacrifices{H2077} of their gods{H430}: and the people{H5971} did eat{H398}, and bowed down{H7812} to their gods{H430}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Corinthians 10:20
- But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Exodus 20:5
- Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Exodus 34:15
- Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and [one] call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
Exodus 34:16
- And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
Joshua 22:17
- [Is] the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
Hosea 9:10
- I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: [but] they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto [that] shame; and [their] abominations were according as they loved.
Psalms 106:28
- They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 25:2
1. Themes:
- Idolatry: The verse highlights the Israelites' participation in pagan worship, which is a direct violation of the first and second commandments.
- Spiritual infidelity: This act represents a departure from the covenant relationship between God and His people, illustrating the dangers of being led astray by foreign influences.
- Divine judgment: The broader context of the chapter shows God's response to this apostasy, which includes a plague sent upon the Israelites.
- Moral corruption: The incident underscores how immoral practices of the surrounding nations could corrupt the moral and spiritual integrity of Israel.
2. Historical Context:
- The event occurs during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, shortly before their entrance into Canaan.
- The location is the plains of Moab, near the territory of the Midianites and Moabites, who were descendants of Abraham's nephew Lot.
- The Moabites, fearing the Israelites, had hired Balaam to curse them, but instead, Balaam blessed them under God's direction. However, Balaam later advised the Moabite king to entice the Israelites into idolatry and immorality.
- This verse is part of an episode where the Moabite and Midianite women invite the Israelite men to their religious feasts, leading to idolatry and sexual immorality, which provokes God's wrath.
In summary, Numbers 25:2 captures a moment of grave spiritual compromise by the Israelites, influenced by the pagan nations around them, which has severe consequences as narrated in the following verses. This event serves as a stark warning in the Bible about the perils of religious syncretism and the need for the people of God to remain faithful to His covenant.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H2077
There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶבַח
Transliteration: zebach
Pronunciation: zeh'-bakh
Description: from זָבַח; properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act); offer(-ing), sacrifice. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H7812
There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁחָה
Transliteration: shâchâh
Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.