Bible Strands
Numbers 25:3
So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative reports Israel’s collective participation in Baal of Peor worship and Yahweh’s immediate response of directed fury. This occurs in the wilderness narrative immediately after the people accept invitations to foreign sacrificial meals.
The words — וַ/יִּצָּ֥מֶד (va/i.yi.Tza.med) literally means “and it joined itself,” denoting Israel’s deliberate entanglement with the foreign cult. וַ/יִּֽחַר (va/i.yi.char-) translates to “and it burned,” marking the sudden ignition of divine anger.
The thread — The event is repeatedly cited as a paradigm of covenant breach in Joshua 22:17, Psalms 106:28, and Hosea 9:10. These passages treat the Baal of Peor incident as a historical benchmark for Israel’s recurring syncretism.
Why it lands — The text establishes that corporate alignment with foreign worship directly triggers judicial response. It requires readers to acknowledge that religious compromise carries immediate, non-negotiable consequences.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Israel joined himself unto Baal–peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
Cross-references
- Joshua 22:17 Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD.
- Psalms 106:28 They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.
- Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.
- Numbers 25:5 So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”
- Deuteronomy 4:3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.
- Judges 2:14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.
- Judges 2:20 So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice,
- Psalms 90:11 Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.
- Jeremiah 17:4 And you yourself will relinquish the inheritance that I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, for you have kindled My anger; it will burn forever.”