Joshua 22:17
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּע֔וֹר
of Peor
H6465
פְּע֔וֹר
of Peor
Strong's:
H6465
Word #:
5 of 16
peor, a mountain east of jordan in moab; baal peor, (for h1187) a deity worshipped there
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטַּהַ֙רְנוּ֙
for us from which we are not cleansed
H2891
הִטַּהַ֙רְנוּ֙
for us from which we are not cleansed
Strong's:
H2891
Word #:
8 of 16
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
until this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
until this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַנֶּ֖גֶף
although there was a plague
H5063
הַנֶּ֖גֶף
although there was a plague
Strong's:
H5063
Word #:
14 of 16
a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)
Historical Context
The Peor incident occurred approximately 40 years earlier, yet its trauma remained vivid. Phinehas received a covenant of perpetual priesthood for his zeal (Numbers 25:11-13), establishing his credibility as the leader of this investigation.
Questions for Reflection
- How should past failures inform present vigilance without creating a spirit of fear or suspicion?
- What does Phinehas's leadership demonstrate about those who have proven faithful in crisis being trusted in sensitive situations?
- How can we remember God's past judgments without becoming paranoid or divisive?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day—The reference is to Numbers 25, where 24,000 Israelites died for worshiping Baal-Peor through sexual immorality with Moabite women. The Hebrew phrase "not cleansed" (לֹא טָהַרְנוּ, lo taharnu) suggests ongoing corporate guilt requiring continual covenant renewal.
Although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD—The plague (מַגֵּפָה, magephah) was stopped only by Phinehas's zealous action (Numbers 25:7-8), making it especially poignant that Phinehas himself leads this delegation. Having personally witnessed God's wrath against idolatry, he cannot tolerate another altar that might provoke divine judgment.