Baalpeor is a term found in the Old Testament, referring to a specific manifestation of the Canaanite deity Baal, associated with the location of Peor. This term is primarily mentioned in the context of Israel's apostasy and idolatry during their wilderness wanderings, as recorded in the Book of Numbers.

Biblical References:

1. Numbers 25:1-3 : "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, who invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them."

2. Deuteronomy 4:3 : "You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did at Baalpeor. The LORD your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed Baal of Peor."

3. Psalm 106:28 : "They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods."

Historical and Cultural Context:

Baalpeor represents a significant moment of infidelity and rebellion against God by the Israelites. The worship of Baal was prevalent among the Canaanite peoples, and Baalpeor specifically refers to the worship of Baal at Mount Peor. This idolatry was characterized by sexual immorality and participation in pagan rituals, which were strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law.

The incident at Baalpeor occurred as the Israelites were encamped in the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River, just before entering the Promised Land. The Moabite women seduced the Israelite men, leading them into idolatry and immorality. This act of apostasy provoked the wrath of God, resulting in a severe plague that claimed the lives of 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:9).

Theological Significance:

The episode at Baalpeor serves as a stark warning against idolatry and the dangers of syncretism, where the worship of the true God is mixed with pagan practices. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of turning away from His commandments. The event is often cited in Scripture as a reminder of the Israelites' tendency to stray from God and the need for vigilance in maintaining spiritual purity.

Later References and Interpretations:

The incident at Baalpeor is referenced in later biblical texts as a cautionary tale. In Hosea 9:10, the prophet Hosea recalls Israel's sin at Baalpeor as an example of their unfaithfulness. The Apostle Paul also alludes to this event in 1 Corinthians 10:8, warning the Corinthian church against sexual immorality and idolatry.

Baalpeor remains a symbol of the seductive power of idolatry and the importance of remaining true to God's commands. It highlights the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptations of the surrounding culture, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.Lord of the opening, a god of the Moabites (Numbers 25:3; 31:16; Joshua 22:17), worshipped by obscene rites. So called from Mount Peor, where this worship was celebrated, the Baal of Peor. The Israelites fell into the worship of this idol (Numbers 25:3, 5, 18; Deuteronomy 4:3; Psalm 106:28; Hosea 9:10). BAAL-PEOR

ba-al-pe'-or. See BAAL. (1).

All Association with Idols is to be Avoided.
... And sometimes they made a calf, as in the wilderness; [3049] sometimes they worshipped
Baalpeor; [3050] another time Baal, [3051] and Thamuz, [3052] and ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii all association with idols.htm

"Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"
... At Baalpeor, on the very borders of the Promised Land, where many fell a prey to
subtle temptation, those who remained faithful renewed their vows of allegiance ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 24 destroyed for lack.htm

Rom. xi. 7
... Thou wast freed from Egypt, and thou didst worship the calf, thou didst sacrifice
thy sons to Baalpeor, thou didst defile the temple, thou didst go after every ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix rom xi 7.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... And it was after enjoying a luxurious feast connected with the worship of Baalpeor,
that many of the Hebrews fell through licentiousness. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

Matt. Ii. 2
... For which may be called the truer son of God, he that worships a calf, and is
joined to Baalpeor [356] and sacrifices his sons to devils? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily viii matt ii 2.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... and more notorious, or because the plague was not so great at that time, as in the
matter of Balaam, when they joined themselves to Baalpeor, the Midianitish ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

Psalm CVI.
... 23. "They were initiated also unto Baalpeor;" that is, were consecrated to the
Gentile idol; "and ate the offerings of the dead" (ver.28). ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cvi.htm

Baalpeor (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Baalpeor (5 Occurrences). Numbers 25:3 And Israel joined
himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. ...
/b/baalpeor.htm - 8k

Baal-peor (6 Occurrences)
Baal-peor. Baalpeor, Baal-peor. Ba'al-pe'or . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (ASV
BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS). Baalpeor, Baal-peor. Ba'al-pe'or . Reference Bible
/b/baal-peor.htm - 9k

Firstripe (2 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/firstripe.htm - 7k

Ba'al-me'on (3 Occurrences)
Ba'al-me'on. Baal-meon, Ba'al-me'on. Baalpeor . Multi-Version Concordance
Ba'al-me'on (3 Occurrences). ... Baal-meon, Ba'al-me'on. Baalpeor . Reference Bible
/b/ba'al-me'on.htm - 7k

Slay (189 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men
that were joined unto Baalpeor. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/slay.htm - 38k

Abominations (81 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/a/abominations.htm - 35k

Separated (97 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/s/separated.htm - 37k

What was Baal Peor in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org

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