Numbers 31:16
Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that Balaam's "counsel" wasn't just about leading Israel into sin, but specifically about causing them to "trespass against the LORD." This emphasizes that the core issue wasn't just following other gods, but a deliberate act of betrayal and disloyalty against the God who had already delivered them.
This verse explains the motivation behind the current military action: the women of Midian, influenced by Balaam's deceptive advice, had previously led the Israelites into idolatry and sexual sin at Peor, which resulted in a deadly plague among God's people. Therefore, the command to kill the women and children stems from a need to execute judgment for this past treachery against the LORD.
Balaam was hired to curse Israel, but something changed. What was his real strategy, and why did it work?
The Serpent's Subtle Plan
Balaam, the prophet hired to curse Israel, couldn't directly harm them with his words. God wouldn't allow it! So, he hatched a more insidious plan, detailed in the scholarly context: he advised the Moabites and Midianites to entice Israel into sin.
Instead of a direct attack, Balaam's counsel was to use seduction – specifically, luring the Israelite men into sexual immorality and idolatry through their women. This wasn't just about breaking a commandment; it was about making Israel "trespass against the LORD" (Numbers 31:16).
A plague swept through Israel. What was the divine response to this act of treachery, and why was it so severe?
God's Fierce Response to Defilement
The incident at Peor (mentioned in verse 16) was a pivotal moment. When the Israelites succumbed to the temptation offered by the Midianite women, they engaged in worship of Baal-Peor and participated in its associated immorality. This was a direct violation of God's command, "You shall have no other gods before me."
God's reaction was immediate and severe: a plague struck the entire congregation. The text in Numbers 25:9 tells us that 24,000 people died in this plague alone. This wasn't just a punishment for breaking a rule; it was a demonstration of God's absolute intolerance for infidelity and idolatry within His covenant people.
Understand the original words
ma'al · Hebrew Verb
A violation of trust or covenant relationship, often implying unfaithfulness, betrayal, or apostasy against God. In a covenantal context, it specifically refers to breaking faith with Yahweh.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The self-revealed personal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His holiness, His covenant relationship with Israel, and His absolute sovereignty. It is the name by which He is known to His people.
'edah · Hebrew Noun
A technical term referring to the community of Israel as a distinct, holy people set apart by God. It emphasizes their corporate identity and responsibility to God.
This verse points to a specific, devastating sin that occurred because of manipulative counsel from Balaam, leading to divine judgment and the subsequent military action described in chapter 31. The 'these' refers to the Midianite women who were used to lure Israel into sin.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Enters Moabite Territory
After wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites arrive at the borders of Moab and Edom. They are forbidden to pass through Edom, but traverse the territories of Sihon and Og before reaching the plains of Moab.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam's Oracles
Balak, king of Moab, hires the seer Balaam to curse the Israelites, hoping to defeat them in battle. Balaam, however, blesses them instead, prophesying Israel's future greatness.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
The Incident at Peor
Following Balaam's counsel, Moabite and Midianite women entice Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality with the god Baal of Peor, leading to a devastating plague.
c. 1400 BC
Divine Judgment and Retaliation
In response to the plague, the LORD commands Moses to execute judgment on the leaders who participated in the sin. A subsequent military campaign is launched against the Midianites.
This passage highlights the lasting negative impact of the Moabites and Ammonites, stemming from their actions during this very incident, showing how sin can have generational consequences.
Psalm 106:28-31This psalm directly recounts the Israelites' entanglement with Baal of Peor and the resulting plague, underscoring the gravity of their sin and God's judgment.
1 Corinthians 10:8Paul explicitly references the sin at Peor as a warning to the New Testament church, demonstrating that this event serves as a timeless example of sexual immorality and idolatry leading to destruction.
Revelation 2:14This verse in Revelation directly connects Balaam's counsel to the sin of eating food sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality, showing the continued spiritual significance of this event.
bensonNumbers 31:16: "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD."
Numbers 31:16 . Through the counsel of Balaam — Since the Moabites and their associates were taught by Balaam to acknowledge Jehovah to be a very powerful deity, even superior to the gods of other nations, ( Numbers 23:19 ; Numbers 24:16 ,) is it not strange that they should have been in…
gillNumbers 31:16: "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD."
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam,.... Who advised the Midianites to send their women into the camp of Israel, and allure them to uncleanness, and so draw them into idolatry, which counsel they followed and it succeeded; for, by this means, they w…
The verse highlights that Balaam's "counsel" wasn't just about leading Israel into sin, but specifically about causing them to "trespass against the LORD." This emphasizes that the core issue wasn't just following other gods, but a deliberate act of betrayal and disloyalty against the God who had already delivered them.
This verse explains the motivation behind the current military action: the women of Midian, influenced by Balaam's deceptive advice, had previously led the Israelites into idolatry and sexual sin at Peor, which resulted in a deadly plague among God's people. Therefore, the command to kill the women and children stems from a need to execute judgment for this past treachery against the LORD.
This verse explains the motivation behind the current military action: the women of Midian, influenced by Balaam's deceptive advice, had previously led the Israelites into idolatry and sexual sin at Peor, which resulted in a deadly plague among God's people. Therefore, the command to kill the women and children stems from a need to execute judgment for this past treachery against the LORD.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Numbers 31:16 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam Slain
During the military campaign against the Midianites, Balaam the seer, who had advised them to corrupt Israel, is killed by the Israelite army.
"Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD." — The verse highlights that Balaam's "counsel" wasn't just about leading Israel into sin, but specifically about causing them to "trespass against the LORD." This emphasizes that the core issue wasn't…
