from בַּעַל and פְּעוֹר; Baal of Peor; Baal-Peor, a Moabitish deity; Baal-peor.
Transliteration:Baʻal Pᵉʻôwr
Pronunciation:bah'-al peh-ore'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma בַּעַל פְּעוֹר (Baʻal Pᵉʻôwr), Strong's H1187, denotes a specific Moabitish deity, literally translated as "Baal of Peor" or "Lord of Peor." This compound name combines בַּעַל (Baʻal, `{{H1167}}`), meaning "owner" or "master," a term commonly used for the chief Canaanite storm god, and פְּעוֹר (Pᵉʻôwr, `{{H6465}}`), which refers to Mount Peor, a geographical location in Moab. Thus, Baal-Peor identifies a localized manifestation or cult of the broader Baal deity, particularly associated with the cultic practices at this specific mountain. Unlike the general term "Baal," which can refer to various local Baals, "Baal-Peor" is a proper noun referring to this singular, infamous deity. Its semantic range is therefore narrow, exclusively designating this pagan god and the idolatrous worship connected with him.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Baal-Peor is mentioned in several key passages, primarily in the context of Israel's apostasy:
* **[[Numbers 25:3]]:** This is the foundational passage, describing how "Israel yoked himself to Baal-Peor." The context reveals that this involved the men of Israel engaging in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who then invited them to sacrifices to their gods, leading to Israel bowing down to these deities. This act of spiritual and physical defilement provoked the Lord's fierce anger.
* **[[Numbers 25:5]]:** Moses commands the leaders to execute those who had "yoked themselves to Baal-Peor," underscoring the severe nature of the transgression. This incident resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites.
* **[[Deuteronomy 4:3]]:** Moses reminds the new generation entering the promised land of the divine judgment at Baal-Peor: "Your own eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-Peor. For all the men who followed Baal-Peor, the Lord your God destroyed them from among you." This serves as a stark warning against idolatry and disobedience.
* **[[Psalm 106:28]]:** The psalmist laments Israel's historical unfaithfulness, recalling the incident: "They yoked themselves to Baal-Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods." This highlights the spiritual blindness and ingratitude inherent in their sin.
* **[[Hosea 9:10]]:** The prophet Hosea uses the incident at Baal-Peor as a metaphor for Israel's early and profound apostasy: "I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But when they came to Baal-Peor, they devoted themselves to the shameful thing and became detestable like the thing they loved." This verse emphasizes the immediate and corrupting effect of their idolatry, comparing their turning to Baal-Peor to a fundamental betrayal of their covenant relationship with God.
Across these occurrences, Baal-Peor consistently represents a pivotal moment of Israelite apostasy, characterized by sexual immorality and idolatry, leading to severe divine judgment. It serves as a historical precedent and a perpetual warning against syncretism and unfaithfulness to Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding Baal-Peor necessitates recognizing its connections to broader biblical themes and terms:
* **Baal (`{{H1167}}`):** The general Canaanite and Phoenician storm and fertility deity. Baal-Peor is a specific, localized cult of this god, often associated with particular rites.
* **Peor (`{{H6465}}`):** The mountain in Moab where this specific cult was situated. Its name may relate to "opening" or "cleft," possibly hinting at the nature of the cultic site or practices.
* **Moab/Moabites (`{{H4124}}`):** The people who worshipped Baal-Peor and led Israel astray. Their interaction with Israel at Shittim (Numbers 25) was a significant moment of temptation and fall.
* **Idolatry (e.g., `{{H4577}}` *massekah* "molten image," `{{H6090}}` *ʻatsab* "idol"):** The fundamental sin committed by Israel at Baal-Peor, a direct violation of the first commandment ([[Exodus 20:3]]).
* **Sexual Immorality/Prostitution (e.g., `{{H2181}}` *zanah* "to commit fornication," `{{H2183}}` *zenunim* "fornication"):** A key component of the worship of Baal-Peor, often involving cultic prostitution, which was intertwined with fertility cults.
* **Plague (`{{H5061}}` *maggephah*):** The divine judgment visited upon Israel for their sin at Baal-Peor, demonstrating the immediate and severe consequences of their transgression.
* **Covenant (`{{H1285}}` *berit*):** The incident at Baal-Peor represents a profound breach of Israel's covenant with Yahweh, highlighting the conditional nature of their relationship.
* **Zeal (`{{H7068}}` *qin'ah*):** Phinehas's zealous act in [[Numbers 25:7-8]] to stop the plague underscores the importance of zeal for God's honor in the face of apostasy.
### Theological Significance
The incident of Baal-Peor holds profound theological significance, serving as a critical moment in Israel's early history and a perpetual theological warning:
* **Divine Jealousy and Holiness:** God's fierce anger and swift judgment at Baal-Peor underscore His absolute holiness and His demand for exclusive worship. He is a "jealous God" ([[Exodus 20:5]]) who will not share His glory with idols. The defilement of His people through idolatry and immorality is an affront to His character.
* **Consequences of Apostasy and Disobedience:** The plague that decimated 24,000 Israelites vividly illustrates the deadly consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and disobedience to God's commands. It teaches that sin, especially idolatry, has immediate and devastating repercussions.
* **Warning Against Syncretism:** Baal-Peor stands as a stark warning against mixing true worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. The temptation to assimilate with surrounding cultures and adopt their religious customs was a recurring challenge for Israel, and Baal-Peor serves as the quintessential example of its dangers.
* **The Pervasiveness of Temptation:** The narrative highlights how easily God's people can be led astray through external influences and internal desires, particularly sexual temptation, which was often intertwined with ancient fertility cults.
* **God's Faithfulness Amidst Unfaithfulness:** Despite Israel's profound unfaithfulness at Baal-Peor, God remained faithful to His covenant, preserving a remnant and continuing His redemptive plan, even as He administered justice. The event underscores His justice while implicitly pointing to His enduring grace for those who repent.
* **A Cautionary Tale for All Generations:** The repeated references to Baal-Peor in later biblical texts (Deuteronomy, Psalms, Hosea) demonstrate its enduring significance as a historical lesson and a theological warning against the perils of idolatry and immorality for all who claim to follow God.
### Summary
Baal-Peor (בַּעַל פְּעוֹר, `{{H1187}}`) is the specific Moabitish deity worshipped at Mount Peor, a localized manifestation of the broader Canaanite god Baal. Its biblical occurrences, primarily in [[Numbers 25]], describe a pivotal moment of Israel's apostasy, where they yoked themselves to this idol through cultic sexual immorality and participation in pagan sacrifices. This act provoked God's fierce wrath, resulting in a devastating plague. Theologically, Baal-Peor serves as a profound illustration of God's absolute holiness and jealous demand for exclusive worship, the severe consequences of idolatry and syncretism, and the pervasive danger of temptation. It stands as a perpetual warning against spiritual unfaithfulness, emphasizing the critical importance of obedience and devotion to Yahweh alone.
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