Israel Worships Baal

25 While Israel was staying in the Acacia Grove,[a](A) the people began to prostitute themselves with the women of Moab. The women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods, and the people ate and bowed in worship to their gods.(B) So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor,(C) and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.(D) The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute[b] them in broad daylight before the Lord so that his burning anger may turn away from Israel.”

So Moses told Israel’s judges, “Kill each of the men who aligned themselves with Baal of Peor.”

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Footnotes

  1. 25:1 Or in Shittim
  2. 25:4 Or impale, or hang, or expose; Hb obscure

Worship of Baal of Peor

25 While Israel was staying at Shittim, the people began to have sexual relations with the women of Moab.(A) These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.(B) Thus Israel yoked itself to the Baal of Peor, and the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel.(C) The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and impale them in the sun before the Lord, in order that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”(D) And Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you shall kill any of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.”

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