Peor
פְּעוֹר/PEE-or/
“Cleft or opening”
Summary
Peor was a mountain in Moab where Balak brought Balaam to curse Israel, and also a shortened name for the false god Baal-peor.
☩Mountain in Moab
Peor was one of the heights on the Moabite plateau to which Balak led Balaam, hoping he would curse Israel from this vantage point. It overlooked the wilderness (Jeshimon) and was apparently an ancient high place dedicated to Baal worship. The town of Beth-peor was likely situated at its base.
Key verses:Numbers 23:28
☩The Sin of Peor
The phrase 'the matter of Peor' or 'the iniquity of Peor' refers to Israel's apostasy when they were seduced by Midianite women to worship Baal-peor and engage in immorality. This incident brought divine judgment upon Israel and remained a solemn warning for future generations.
Key verses:Numbers 25:18Numbers 31:16Joshua 22:17
Related Verses13 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Peor," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Peor," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Peor," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).