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)
The verse highlights that Balaam's "counsel" wasn't just about getting Israel to worship other gods, but specifically how to make them "trespass" against the LORD – by luring them into immoral and idolatrous practices tied to the worship of Baal Peor. This shows that sin isn't just an isolated act, but a deliberate strategy that can have devastating consequences, leading to divine judgment like the plague.
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)
The Israelites have just completed a successful military campaign against the Midianites, killing their kings and even the sorcerer Balaam. Moses is angered that the soldiers have spared the Midianite women, reminding them that these women, on Balaam's advice, had previously enticed Israel into idolatry and immorality at Mount Peor, which led to a devastating plague. He then issues orders for the execution of these women and the sparing of the young girls for Israelite use.
How could a prophet, who once blessed Israel, orchestrate their downfall? Balaam's counsel reveals a cunning plan rooted in a misunderstanding of God's nature.
Balaam's advice wasn't about directly fighting Israel, but about corrupting them from within. The commentaries highlight that he advised the Midianites and Moabites to use their women to entice the Israelites into sexual immorality and idolatry.
Sin always has a price. For Israel's betrayal at Peor, the consequence was swift and deadly, reminding them of the LORD's holiness.
The immediate result of Israel's entanglement with Baal-Peor was a devastating plague.
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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 directly references the devastating incident at Mount Peor, where the Moabites and Midianites, influenced by Balaam's wicked advice, enticed the Israelites into idolatry and sexual sin, leading to a plague. The subsequent war against Midian, detailed in this chapter, was a direct response to this treacherous act.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Encamp in Moab
After defeating the Amorite king Sihon and the king of Bashan, the Israelites set up camp on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho. This strategic position put them in close proximity to the Moabite and Midianite people.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam's Oracles
Balak, king of Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam, however, was compelled by God to bless Israel instead, delivering prophecies of Israel's future greatness and the downfall of their enemies, including Moab.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Seduction at Peor
Following Balaam's counsel, the Moabites and Midianites lured Israelite men into sexual immorality and idolatry by inviting them to feasts honoring the god Baal of Peor. This act deeply offended the LORD.
c. 1400 BC
Devastating Plague
In response to the widespread sin and idolatry at Peor, God sent a severe plague among the Israelite community, which resulted in the deaths of 24,000 people.
c. 1400 BC
Divine Command for Retribution
The LORD commanded Moses to wage war against the Midianites for their role in seducing Israel. This punitive expedition was seen as executing God's judgment on those who had led His people astray.
c. 1400 BC
Destruction of Midianite Cities
The Israelite army, under God's command, destroyed the cities of Midian and killed its people, including its five kings and Balaam himself, as a consequence of their treachery.
This passage directly recalls the shame of Peor and Balaam's wicked counsel, showing how the memory of this sin impacted Israel's future identity and relationships.
Psalm 106:28-31This psalm recounts Israel's sin at Peor, highlighting the resulting plague and Phinehas's righteous act as a direct consequence of Balaam's deceptive counsel leading them into idolatry.
Jeremiah 3:1-3This prophetic passage uses the metaphor of Israel's spiritual adultery, directly referencing their 'ways' with 'every male' and their brazenness, mirroring the unfaithfulness that began with the enticement at Peor.
1 Corinthians 10:8The New Testament explicitly warns against the sin of immorality and idolatry, directly referencing the incident at Peor and the resulting destruction as a cautionary tale for believers.
Revelation 2:14This passage in Revelation identifies Balaam as the one who taught nations to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, leading them to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols, directly linking him to the events at Peor.
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 getting Israel to worship other gods, but specifically how to make them "trespass" against the LORD – by luring them into immoral and idolatrous practices tied to the worship of Baal Peor. This shows that sin isn't just an isolated act, but a deliberate strategy that can have devastating consequences, leading to divine judgment like the plague.
The Israelites have just completed a successful military campaign against the Midianites, killing their kings and even the sorcerer Balaam. Moses is angered that the soldiers have spared the Midianite women, reminding them that these women, on Balaam's advice, had previously enticed Israel into idolatry and immorality at Mount Peor, which led to a devastating plague. He then issues orders for the execution of these women and the sparing of the young girls for Israelite use.
The Israelites have just completed a successful military campaign against the Midianites, killing their kings and even the sorcerer Balaam. Moses is angered that the soldiers have spared the Midianite women, reminding them that these women, on Balaam's advice, had previously enticed Israel into idolatry and immorality at Mount Peor, which led to a devastating plague. He then issues orders for the execution of these women and the sparing of the young girls for Israelite use.
"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 getting Israel to worship other gods, but specifically how to make them "trespass" against the LORD – by luring them into immoral and…
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Last reviewed October 2026