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.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

Worship of Baal of Peor

25 While Israel remained encamped in Shittim, the people began to commit sexual immorality with Moabite women, who also invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods. So the people ate what they had sacrificed[a] and then worshipped their gods. The people joined the Baal-peor cult.[b] As a result, the anger of the Lord flared up against Israel, so the Lord told Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute[c] them in broad daylight for the Lord, so the Lord’s burning anger may be withdrawn from Israel.”

Then Moses ordered the judges of Israel, “Each one of you is to execute the men in his own tribe[d] who joined the Baal-peor cult.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 25:2 The Heb. lacks what they had sacrificed
  2. Numbers 25:3 Lit. joined themselves to Baal-Peor; and so throughout the chapter
  3. Numbers 25:4 Or hang
  4. Numbers 25:5 The Heb. lacks in his own tribe