Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves, and for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the LORD,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrasing here isn't just a history lesson; it's a raw reminder that past sins, even those God has forgiven nationally, leave a lingering stain and a potential for relapse. The speaker, Phinehas, implies that the shame and the internal corrupting influence of that sin at Peor still cling to them, making any further deviation from God's clear commands incredibly dangerous.
Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves, and for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the LORD,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The eastern tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, have built a large altar near the Jordan River, prompting the other tribes to gather at Shiloh, ready for war. Phinehas leads a delegation to confront them, accusing them of rebellion against the LORD by building a second altar. He reminds them of the devastating sin at Peor, where a plague killed thousands, urging them not to repeat such apostasy.
When guilt lingers, even after judgment, how do we find true cleansing? This ancient sin left a deep mark.
The people of Israel are reminded of a devastating event at Peor, where many engaged in idolatrous worship and sexual immorality with Moabite women. This led to a severe plague that killed thousands.
A Deeper Sin
The sin wasn't just a momentary lapse; it was a deep spiritual corruption. Even though God had intervened through Phinehas and a plague had struck, the 'iniquity' or 'guilt' of Peor wasn't fully purged. This suggests that the shame, the lingering inclination towards sin, or perhaps a portion of the corrupting influence remained within the community.
A Warning Echo
This reference by Phinehas isn't just historical recall; it's a potent warning. He's using this past disaster to highlight the potential severity of the current situation—building a unauthorized altar—implying it carries a similar risk of bringing God's wrath upon the entire congregation.
A plague swept through the camp, but what does it mean for the 'cleansing' to be incomplete?
The phrase 'a plague upon the congregation of the LORD' points to a direct and severe act of divine judgment. Thousands died, a stark consequence for the people's straying from God.
Divine Discipline
This judgment served as a forceful correction, a demonstration of God's holiness and His intolerance for idolatry and immorality within His chosen people. It was a moment where God's displeasure was undeniably evident.
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Lasting Reproach
However, the text highlights that even such a devastating plague didn't entirely erase the impact. The 'iniquity' wasn't simply the act itself, but the lasting stain and memory of it. It represented a failure in their covenant walk that left a spiritual scar, a reminder of their vulnerability to sin and the terrible cost of disobedience.
Understand the original words
chatt'ah · Hebrew Noun
A moral failing or missing the mark of God's standard, often resulting in guilt and separation from God.
maggēphah · Hebrew Noun
A sudden, intense, or devastating judgment from God upon a people, often as a direct consequence of persistent corporate or individual sin.
The reference to the sin at Peor highlights the lingering trauma and fear of idolatry within Israel, showing how past failures shaped their anxieties about unity and faithfulness even after conquering the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the military campaign to conquer the Promised Land of Canaan.
c. 1405 BC
Division of the Land
The land of Canaan is divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh receiving territory east of the Jordan River.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Altar built on Jordan's edge
The tribes east of the Jordan build a large altar on the edge of the river, causing alarm among the other Israelites.
c. 1405 BC
Israelites prepare for war
The tribes west of the Jordan gather at Shiloh to mobilize for war against their brethren, fearing religious rebellion.
c. 1405 BC
Delegation sent to investigate
Phinehas, a prominent priest known for his zeal against idolatry, leads a delegation to understand the purpose of the altar.
c. 1405 BC
Phinehas confronts the eastern tribes
Phinehas reminds the eastern tribes of past sins, particularly the sin at Peor, warning them against further rebellion and division.
This passage details the 'sin at Peor,' directly referenced in Joshua, describing the Israelites' idolatry with Moabite women and the resulting plague, showing the severe consequences of straying from God's commands.
Psalm 106:28-31This psalm recounts the sin at Peor and God's judgment, highlighting Phinehas's righteous act and God's subsequent covenant of peace, underscoring the persistent memory and impact of this sin.
Hosea 9:10Hosea directly alludes to the event at Peor, showing how this sin continued to be a mark of shame and a point of divine displeasure for Israel long after it occurred.
Joshua 23:15-16Joshua warns the people that just as God brought disaster upon them for their sins like the one at Peor, He will also destroy them if they turn away from Him, reinforcing the seriousness of unchecked sin.
1 Corinthians 10:6-8Paul uses the example of Israel's sins, including 'immorality' (referencing Peor) and idolatry, as a warning to the Corinthian church, showing how these ancient events still serve as lessons against sinning today.
wesleyJoshua 22:17: "Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,"
22:17 Of Peor - That is, of our worshipping of Baal - peor, Numb 25:3. Probably this is mentioned the rather, because Phinehas, the first commissioner in this treaty, had signalized himself in that matter: and because they were now at or near the very place, where that iniquity was committed. Are not cleansed - For though God had…
calvinJoshua 22:10-20: "And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to."
And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
Devenerunt autem ad limites Jordanis qui er…
The phrasing here isn't just a history lesson; it's a raw reminder that past sins, even those God has forgiven nationally, leave a lingering stain and a potential for relapse. The speaker, Phinehas, implies that the shame and the internal corrupting influence of that sin at Peor still cling to them, making any further deviation from God's clear commands incredibly dangerous.
The eastern tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, have built a large altar near the Jordan River, prompting the other tribes to gather at Shiloh, ready for war. Phinehas leads a delegation to confront them, accusing them of rebellion against the LORD by building a second altar. He reminds them of the devastating sin at Peor, where a plague killed thousands, urging them not to repeat such apostasy.
The eastern tribes of Reuben and Gad, along with half of Manasseh, have built a large altar near the Jordan River, prompting the other tribes to gather at Shiloh, ready for war. Phinehas leads a delegation to confront them, accusing them of rebellion against the LORD by building a second altar. He reminds them of the devastating sin at Peor, where a plague killed thousands, urging them not to repeat such apostasy.
"Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves, and for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the LORD," — The phrasing here isn't just a history lesson; it's a raw reminder that past sins, even those God has forgiven nationally, leave a lingering stain and a potential for relapse. The speaker, Phinehas,…
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Last reviewed October 2026