Peor's is a term associated with the biblical narrative of Baal-Peor, a significant event in the history of Israel during their wilderness wanderings. The name "Peor" is linked to a mountain or a location in Moab, where the Israelites fell into idolatry and immorality, leading to severe consequences.

Biblical Context

The account of Peor's is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 25. The Israelites, while camped in the plains of Moab, began to engage in sexual immorality with Moabite women. These women invited the Israelites to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to these gods. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel.

Numbers 25:3 states, "So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them." The worship of Baal of Peor involved not only idolatry but also licentious practices, which were abominable in the sight of the Lord.

Divine Judgment

As a result of this transgression, God's wrath was kindled against Israel. The Lord instructed Moses to take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel (Numbers 25:4). This severe command underscores the gravity of the sin committed at Peor.

Furthermore, a plague broke out among the Israelites as a divine judgment for their sin. Numbers 25:9 records, "But those who died in the plague numbered 24,000." This devastating consequence served as a stark reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of idolatry.

Phinehas' Zeal

In the midst of this crisis, Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the priest, demonstrated zeal for the Lord by taking a spear and killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were flagrantly sinning. This act of righteous indignation halted the plague and was commended by God. Numbers 25:11-13 states, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites, for he was zealous for My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal. Therefore declare that I hereby grant him My covenant of peace. It will be a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites."

Legacy and Lessons

The incident at Peor's serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God. It highlights the need for spiritual vigilance and the consequences of turning away from the Lord. The zeal of Phinehas is often cited as an example of righteous action in the face of sin, demonstrating the importance of upholding God's holiness.

The memory of Peor's lingered in Israel's history, as seen in later references such as Psalm 106:28-29 , which recounts, "They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. They provoked the LORD to anger by their deeds, and a plague broke out among them." This event is a sobering reminder of the call to holiness and the dangers of compromising with pagan practices.

The Burial of Moses
... Perchance the bald old eagle, On gray Beth-peor's height, Out of his lonely eyrie
Looked on the wondrous sight; Perchance the lion stalking, Still shuns that ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the burial of moses.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... to the children of Israel for a stumbling-block, according to the word of Balaam,
to cause them to depart from and despise the word of the Lord for Peor's sake ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

Peor's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Peor's (1 Occurrence). Numbers 25:18 For they
vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you ...
/p/peor's.htm - 6k

Pe'or (8 Occurrences)
Pe'or. Peor, Pe'or. Peor's . ... Pe'or (8 Occurrences). Numbers 23:28 Balak took
Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert. (See RSV). ...
/p/pe'or.htm - 8k

Vex (20 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you
in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince ...
/v/vex.htm - 14k

Per (3 Occurrences)

/p/per.htm - 7k

Beguiled (10 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you
in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince ...
/b/beguiled.htm - 9k

Distress (169 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:18 For they distress you with their wiles, with which they have beguiled
you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a ...
/d/distress.htm - 36k

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)
... Numbers 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you
in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince ...
/w/wherewith.htm - 38k

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