Numbers 25:3

And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

And Israel {H3478} joined {H6775} himself unto Baalpeor {H1187}: and the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was kindled {H2734} against Israel {H3478}.

With Isra'el thus joined to Ba'al-P'or, the anger of ADONAI blazed up against Isra'el.

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

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

Commentary

Context of Numbers 25:3

Numbers 25:3 describes a pivotal and tragic incident in the history of Israel during their wilderness wanderings, immediately following the failed attempts by Balak, king of Moab, to curse them through the prophet Balaam. While Balaam was unable to curse Israel directly, the narrative suggests he later advised Balak on how to make Israel fall by enticing them into sin (Numbers 31:16, Revelation 2:14). This verse specifically details the outcome of that strategy: Israel's deep involvement with the local Moabite and Midianite women, leading to their participation in the worship of Baal-peor. This occurred when Israel was encamped in Shittim, on the plains of Moab, just before entering the Promised Land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Idolatry and Spiritual Compromise: The most significant theme is Israel's direct act of idolatry by "joining himself unto Baal-peor." This was a blatant violation of the first two commandments given at Sinai, which strictly forbade the worship of other gods and the making of idols (Exodus 20:3-5). The phrase "joined himself unto" implies a deliberate and intimate association, not a passive observation, highlighting the deep spiritual infidelity.
  • Immorality and Pagan Practices: The worship of Baal-peor was often associated with fertility cults that involved sexual immorality, including ritual prostitution. While not explicitly detailed in this single verse, the subsequent verses in Numbers 25 clearly link this idolatry with illicit sexual relations, indicating a complete moral and spiritual collapse.
  • God's Righteous Anger: The immediate consequence of Israel's sin was that "the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel." This powerful phrase signifies God's holy indignation and fierce judgment against His covenant people for their betrayal. God's character demands purity and exclusive devotion, and He will not tolerate idolatry or spiritual unfaithfulness.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: This verse sets the stage for the severe divine judgment that follows, where a plague breaks out among the Israelites, leading to the death of 24,000 people (Numbers 25:9). It serves as a stark warning about the destructive power of sin and the seriousness of God's response to it.

Linguistic Insights

The name Baal-peor combines "Baal," a common Semitic term for "lord" or "master" often referring to a local deity, with "Peor," likely the name of the mountain or locality where this specific manifestation of Baal was worshipped. This indicates a particular cultic site and practice that Israel embraced. The Hebrew word for "joined himself unto" (Χ¦ΦΈΧžΦ·Χ“, tsamad) conveys a sense of being yoked or bound together, emphasizing the deep and deliberate commitment Israel made to this false god, akin to a spiritual marriage to an idol.

Practical Application and Reflection

Numbers 25:3 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder of the dangers of spiritual compromise and the allure of worldly temptations. Just as Israel was enticed by the surrounding culture and its false gods, so too can modern believers be drawn away from exclusive devotion to God by the prevailing values, philosophies, and practices of the world. This incident underscores:

  • The importance of maintaining spiritual purity and guarding against all forms of idolatry, whether it be the worship of material possessions, power, or self.
  • The need for vigilance against subtle influences that can lead to moral and spiritual decay.
  • The unwavering holiness of God and His intolerance for sin, particularly among His chosen people. His anger, though severe, is a righteous response to betrayal and a desire to bring His people back to faithfulness.
  • The severe consequences of disobedience, reminding us that while God is merciful, He is also just, and our choices have profound implications, as seen in the subsequent judgment (Psalm 106:28-31).

Therefore, this verse calls us to a life of unwavering faithfulness and complete dedication to the one true God, avoiding any spiritual or moral entanglements that would provoke His righteous displeasure.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 22:17 (5 votes)

    [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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

  • Psalms 106:29 (4 votes)

    Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.

  • Psalms 90:11 (2 votes)

    Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, [so is] thy wrath.

  • Judges 2:14 (2 votes)

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • Jeremiah 17:4 (2 votes)

    And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, [which] shall burn for ever.