Psalms 106:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

They joined {H6775} themselves also unto Baalpeor {H1187}, and ate {H398} the sacrifices {H2077} of the dead {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now they joined themselves to Ba'al-P'or and ate meat sacrificed to dead things.

Berean Standard Bible

They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.

American Standard Version

They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:28 encapsulates a moment of profound spiritual betrayal in Israel's wilderness journey, specifically recalling their apostasy at Baal-peor. This verse serves as a stark indictment of their covenant unfaithfulness, where the chosen people abandoned the living God to engage in the idolatrous worship of a Moabite deity, participating in its associated pagan rituals and consuming offerings made to lifeless idols. It powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of spiritual compromise and the recurring pattern of disobedience that marked much of Israel's early history, highlighting the constant human propensity to stray from divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 106 is a historical psalm, part of a series (Psalms 105-107) that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel despite their persistent unfaithfulness. Psalm 106 specifically functions as a confessional lament, detailing Israel's rebellious history from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile, acknowledging their sins and God's righteous judgment, yet also His enduring mercy. Verse 28 falls within a section (verses 24-33) that highlights specific instances of Israel's rebellion in the wilderness, following their grumbling at Kadesh-barnea ([Psalms 106:24-27](/psalms/106-24 "Psalms 106:24-27 - Rebellion at Kadesh")) and preceding the account of their contention at Meribah ([Psalms 106:32-33](/psalms/106-32 "Psalms 106:32-33 - Contention at Meribah")). This verse, therefore, serves as a poignant example of their repeated spiritual infidelity, setting the stage for the subsequent divine wrath and judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event referenced in Psalms 106:28 is detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - Israel's Sin at Baal-peor"). As Israel encamped in the plains of Moab, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, Moabite women enticed Israelite men into sexual immorality and, subsequently, into the worship of their gods. Baal-peor was a local Moabite deity, likely associated with fertility, whose cult involved licentious practices and ritual prostitution. The "sacrifices of the dead" likely refers to offerings made to idols, which are considered "dead" because they are inanimate and powerless, in stark contrast to the living God. This act of "joining themselves" was a profound violation of the covenant God established at Sinai, particularly the first and second commandments against idolatry ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandments")). The cultural context highlights the constant temptation for Israel to assimilate with the pagan practices of surrounding nations, a recurring theme throughout their history.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 106 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Idolatry and Apostasy**, illustrating Israel's repeated failure to maintain exclusive devotion to Yahweh, choosing instead to worship false gods. This is a direct violation of the covenant and a form of spiritual adultery. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as this act of idolatry at Baal-peor provoked God's fierce anger, resulting in a devastating plague that killed twenty-four thousand Israelites ([Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague at Baal-peor")). Thirdly, the phrase "sacrifices of the dead" emphasizes the **Futility and Lifelessness of Idols**, contrasting them sharply with the living, active God of Israel. It also subtly introduces the theme of **Spiritual Contamination**, as participating in such rituals defiled the Israelites and broke their communion with God. This incident serves as a crucial historical precedent for later prophetic warnings against syncretism and unfaithfulness throughout the Old Testament, such as those found in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Water").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Baalpeor (Hebrew, _Ba'al Pe'or'_):** Literally "Lord of Peor," referring to a specific local deity worshipped by the Moabites, likely at Mount Peor. The term "Baal" was a common Semitic title meaning "lord" or "master," often applied to various local storm or fertility gods. The addition of "Peor" specifies this particular manifestation or cultic site. Its worship often involved licentious rites, as implied by the context in Numbers 25, making the Israelites' participation a profound act of spiritual and moral defilement.
* **Joined themselves (Hebrew, _va-yitzmadu'_):** Derived from the root צמד (tsamad), meaning "to bind," "to yoke," or "to join oneself to." This verb implies a deliberate, intimate, and often illicit attachment or alliance. In this context, it signifies a deep spiritual and physical commitment to Baal-peor, akin to a spiritual marriage or covenant, directly contrasting with their covenant relationship with Yahweh. It highlights the active choice of the Israelites to align themselves with a pagan deity.
* **Sacrifices of the dead (Hebrew, _zivchei metim'_):** This striking phrase refers to the offerings made to idols. "Dead" here primarily emphasizes the inanimate, lifeless, and powerless nature of the idols themselves, contrasting them with the living God. Unlike Yahweh, who is the source of life, these gods are inert and incapable of hearing, seeing, or acting. Some interpretations also suggest a secondary meaning, hinting at forbidden practices like necromancy (consulting the dead) or ancestor worship, which were strictly prohibited by Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 18:11](/deuteronomy/18-11 "Deuteronomy 18:11 - Prohibition of Necromancy")). The consumption of these sacrifices further signifies full participation in the idolatrous cult.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor":** This clause describes the active and deliberate apostasy of the Israelites. The verb "joined themselves" (yitzmadu) conveys a strong sense of intimate attachment and commitment, indicating that their participation was not accidental or passive but a conscious choice to align themselves with a foreign deity. This act represented a profound betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh, who demanded exclusive worship and loyalty. It highlights the spiritual adultery committed by God's chosen people.
* **"and ate the sacrifices of the dead":** This second clause details the specific act of idolatry. By eating the sacrifices offered to Baal-peor, the Israelites entered into communion with this false god and, by extension, with the demonic powers behind it. The phrase "sacrifices of the dead" is a powerful theological statement. It underscores the lifelessness and impotence of idols, which are mere creations of human hands, utterly devoid of life or power, unlike the living God. It also implies the spiritual death and defilement that such participation brought upon the Israelites, contrasting sharply with the life-giving communion found in worshipping the true God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 106:28 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of Israel's spiritual failure. **Metonymy** is evident in "Baalpeor," where the name of the deity stands for the entire idolatrous cult and its associated practices. The phrase "joined themselves" uses **Metaphor** to describe the deep, intimate, and illicit spiritual union between Israel and the false god, likening it to a binding or yoking, which is a powerful image of commitment, albeit a forbidden one. The most striking device is **Irony** and **Contrast** in "sacrifices of the dead." This phrase starkly contrasts the living God of Israel with the lifeless idols, highlighting the futility and spiritual barrenness of pagan worship. It is ironic that a people delivered by the living God would offer worship to that which is "dead." This also functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or strong theological statement, emphasizing the utter non-existence and powerlessness of the idols compared to Yahweh. The entire verse functions as a concise **Summary** of a much larger and more detailed historical event, distilling its essence into a powerful, memorable indictment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:28 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of idolatry and the consequences of spiritual infidelity. It underscores God's absolute demand for exclusive worship, a cornerstone of the Mosaic Covenant and the first commandment. The act of "joining themselves" to Baal-peor was not merely a ritualistic error but a profound betrayal of the covenant relationship, akin to spiritual adultery. The "sacrifices of the dead" highlights the biblical understanding that idols are not merely inert objects but are empty vessels behind which demonic forces operate, leading to spiritual death and defilement. This incident reveals God's holiness and His righteous wrath against sin, demonstrating that while His mercy is great, He will not tolerate the worship of false gods. It also foreshadows the ongoing struggle throughout Israel's history with syncretism and the allure of foreign deities, a constant test of their faithfulness to the one true God.

* [Deuteronomy 32:17](/deuteronomy/32-17 "Deuteronomy 32:17 - Sacrificing to Demons")
* [1 Corinthians 10:20-21](/1_corinthians/10-20 "1 Corinthians 10:20-21 - Warning Against Idolatry")
* [Revelation 9:20](/revelation/9-20 "Revelation 9:20 - Unrepentant Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, Psalms 106:28 stands as a timeless warning against the subtle and overt forms of idolatry that can infiltrate our lives. While we may no longer bow to physical statues of Baal-peor, the principle remains: anything that usurps God's rightful place of ultimate devotion in our hearts becomes an idol. This could manifest as an excessive pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, career success, relationships, or even self-worship. The spiritual danger lies in "joining ourselves" to these modern "gods," allowing them to dictate our values, priorities, and allegiances, thereby compromising our exclusive devotion to the Lord. The "sacrifices of the dead" remind us that such pursuits, though seemingly life-giving, ultimately lead to spiritual barrenness, emptiness, and separation from the true source of life. This verse calls us to vigilant self-examination, urging us to identify and dismantle any idols in our lives, ensuring that our worship, time, and affections are wholly directed towards the living God, who alone is worthy of our complete allegiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "Baal-peors" in my life today that subtly or overtly compete for my ultimate devotion?**
* **In what ways might I be "joining myself" to worldly values or pursuits that contradict God's truth?**
* **How does the concept of "sacrifices of the dead" inform my understanding of the futility of seeking fulfillment outside of God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my worship and allegiance remain exclusively focused on the living God?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific sin at Baal-peor?**

Answer: The sin at Baal-peor, detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - Israel's Sin at Baal-peor"), involved two primary components: sexual immorality with Moabite women and idolatry. The Israelite men engaged in illicit sexual relations, and these women then invited them to participate in the worship of their gods, specifically Baal-peor. This worship included offering sacrifices and likely participating in the licentious rites associated with this fertility deity. The core sin was a profound act of spiritual unfaithfulness and covenant betrayal, directly violating God's commands against idolatry and immorality.

**Why are the idols referred to as "the dead"?**

Answer: The phrase "sacrifices of the dead" refers to the offerings made to idols that are considered "dead" because they are inanimate, lifeless, and utterly powerless, in stark contrast to the living God of Israel. Unlike Yahweh, who is the Creator and Sustainer of life, these idols are mere creations of human hands, incapable of hearing, seeing, or acting ([Psalms 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalms 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols")). The term emphasizes their futility and the spiritual barrenness of worshipping them. It also carries a theological implication that such worship leads to spiritual death and separation from the source of true life.

**What were the consequences of Israel's sin at Baal-peor?**

Answer: The consequences of Israel's sin at Baal-peor were severe and immediate. God's fierce anger was kindled against Israel, and a devastating plague broke out among the people. This plague resulted in the death of twenty-four thousand Israelites ([Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague at Baal-peor")). The plague was only stopped when Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, zealously intervened by executing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were openly engaging in sexual immorality, demonstrating his zeal for God's honor ([Numbers 25:7-8](/numbers/25-7 "Numbers 25:7-8 - Phinehas's Zeal")). This incident served as a stark reminder of the serious nature of idolatry and God's righteous judgment against it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:28, with its stark depiction of Israel's idolatry at Baal-peor, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the exclusive devotion that Israel repeatedly failed to maintain. While Israel "joined themselves unto Baalpeor" and "ate the sacrifices of the dead," Jesus perfectly upheld the first commandment, declaring that we are to "[worship the Lord your God and serve Him only](/matthew/4-10 "Matthew 4:10 - Worship God Alone")". He is the true living God, in contrast to the "dead" idols, and through His sacrifice, He offers genuine life, not spiritual death. The sin at Baal-peor, which brought a plague of death, foreshadows the ultimate plague of sin that afflicts humanity. Christ, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the final and perfect sacrifice, taking away the sin of the world and delivering us from the spiritual death that idolatry brings. In Him, believers are called to a new covenant of exclusive devotion, where our bodies are presented as "[living sacrifices](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")" to the one true God, and we are commanded to "[flee from idolatry](/1_corinthians/10-14 "1 Corinthians 10:14 - Flee from Idolatry")", knowing that our communion is with the living Christ, not with the "dead" things of the world. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire for a people wholly devoted to Him, redeeming us from the historical pattern of unfaithfulness and enabling true worship by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 25:1

¶ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

Numbers 25:3

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

Numbers 25:5

And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

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.

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.

Jeremiah 10:10

But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

Deuteronomy 4:3

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.