Pe'or is a significant location and deity mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the worship of Baal, a Canaanite god. The name Pe'or is often linked with the Moabite and Midianite worship practices that led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, 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."

This passage describes the incident at Pe'or where the Israelites were seduced into idolatry and immorality by the Moabite women. The worship of Baal of Peor involved not only idolatrous practices but also sexual immorality, which was a direct violation of the covenant between God and Israel.

2. Numbers 31:16 : "Behold, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD."

Here, the text refers to the counsel of Balaam, who advised the Moabites to use their women to lead Israel into sin. This resulted in a divine plague as a punishment for Israel's unfaithfulness.

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

This verse serves as a reminder to the Israelites of God's judgment against those who participated in the worship of Baal of Peor. It underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from God.

4. Psalm 106:28-29 : "They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them."

The psalmist recounts the incident at Pe'or as an example of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and the resulting divine judgment. It highlights the spiritual adultery of Israel and the wrath it incurred from God.

Theological Significance:

Pe'or represents a critical moment in Israel's wilderness journey, illustrating the constant temptation of idolatry and the severe consequences of forsaking the covenant with Yahweh. The incident at Pe'or is often cited as a warning against syncretism and the dangers of compromising with pagan practices. It serves as a reminder of the holiness required by God and the need for His people to remain faithful and separate from the surrounding nations' idolatrous customs.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The worship of Baal was prevalent among the Canaanite and surrounding cultures, often involving fertility rites and ritual prostitution. The Israelites' encounter with Baal of Peor reflects the cultural and religious challenges they faced as they settled in a land filled with pagan influences. The narrative underscores the tension between the call to be a distinct people and the allure of the surrounding nations' practices.

Pe'or, therefore, is not just a geographical location but a symbol of the spiritual battle faced by the Israelites—a battle that continues to resonate with believers today as they navigate the challenges of remaining faithful in a world filled with competing ideologies and practices.Pe'or (8 Occurrences)

Numbers 23:28
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
(See RSV)

Numbers 25:3
Israel joined himself to Baal Peor: and the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel.
(See RSV)

Numbers 25:5
Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Everyone kill his men who have joined themselves to Baal Peor."
(See RSV)

Numbers 25:18
for they harassed you with their wiles, with which they have deceived you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor."
(See RSV)

Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Yahweh.
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 4:3
Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for all the men who followed Baal Peor, Yahweh your God has destroyed them from the midst of you.
(See RSV)

Joshua 22:17
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, although there came a plague on the congregation of Yahweh,
(See RSV)

Psalms 106:28
They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
(See RSV)

Pe'or (8 Occurrences)
Pe'or. Peor, Pe'or. Peor's . Multi-Version Concordance Pe'or (8 Occurrences).
Numbers 23:28 Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor ...
/p/pe'or.htm - 8k

Beth-pe'or (4 Occurrences)
Beth-pe'or. Beth-peor, Beth-pe'or. Bethphage . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth-pe'or (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3:29 So we abode ...
/b/beth-pe'or.htm - 7k

Ba'al-pe'or (2 Occurrences)
Ba'al-pe'or. Baal-peor, Ba'al-pe'or. Baalperazim . Multi-Version Concordance
Ba'al-pe'or (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 4:3 Your eyes ...
/b/ba'al-pe'or.htm - 7k

Beth-peor (4 Occurrences)
Beth-peor. Bethpeor, Beth-peor. Beth-pe'or . Easton's Bible Dictionary
House of Peor; ie, "temple of Baal-peor", a place in Moab ...
/b/beth-peor.htm - 9k

Peor (14 Occurrences)
...pe'-or (ha-pe`or; Phogor): (1) A mountain in the land of Moab, the last of the three
heights to which Balaam was guided by Balak in order that he might curse ...
/p/peor.htm - 13k

Baalperazim (2 Occurrences)

/b/baalperazim.htm - 8k

Bethpeor (4 Occurrences)
... beth-pe'-or (beth pe`or; oikos Phogor; in Joshua (Vaticanus), Baithphogor, or beth-):
"Over against Beth-peor" the Israelites were encamped, "beyond the Jordan ...
/b/bethpeor.htm - 9k

Baal-peor (6 Occurrences)
Baal-peor. Baalpeor, Baal-peor. Ba'al-pe'or . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAAL-PEOR. ba-al-pe'-or. See BAAL. (1). ...
/b/baal-peor.htm - 9k

Bethphage (3 Occurrences)

/b/bethphage.htm - 8k

Peor's (1 Occurrence)

/p/peor's.htm - 6k

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