Israel Worships Baal

25 While Israel was staying in the Acacia Grove,[a](A) the people began to have sexual relations 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. Numbers 25:1 Or in Shittim
  2. Numbers 25:4 Or impale, or hang, or expose; Hb obscure

Moab Seduces Israel

25 While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove,[a] some of the men defiled themselves by having[b] sexual relations with local Moabite women. These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab. In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the Lord’s anger to blaze against his people.

The Lord issued the following command to Moses: “Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the Lord in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel.”

So Moses ordered Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death the men under your authority who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

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Footnotes

  1. 25:1a Hebrew Shittim.
  2. 25:1b As in Greek version; Hebrew reads some of the men began having.