Numbers 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.
Original Language Analysis
הֵ֜נָּה
Behold these
H2007
הֵ֜נָּה
Behold these
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
2 of 17
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
וַתְּהִ֥י
caused
H1961
וַתְּהִ֥י
caused
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִבְנֵ֤י
the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֤י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
דְּבַר
in the matter
H1697
דְּבַר
in the matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לִמְסָר
to commit
H4560
לִמְסָר
to commit
Strong's:
H4560
Word #:
8 of 17
to sunder, i.e., (transitively) set apart, or (reflexive) apostatize
יְהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַר
in the matter
H1697
דְּבַר
in the matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
פְּע֑וֹר
of Peor
H6465
פְּע֑וֹר
of Peor
Strong's:
H6465
Word #:
13 of 17
peor, a mountain east of jordan in moab; baal peor, (for h1187) a deity worshipped there
וַתְּהִ֥י
caused
H1961
וַתְּהִ֥י
caused
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה
and there was a plague
H4046
הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה
and there was a plague
Strong's:
H4046
Word #:
15 of 17
a pestilence; by analogy, defeat
Cross References
2 Peter 2:15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.Deuteronomy 4:3Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.Joshua 22:17Is 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,Numbers 24:14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.Proverbs 23:27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.Numbers 25:18For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Historical Context
The Baal-Peor incident (Num 25) occurred at Shittim as Israel prepared to enter Canaan. Moabite and Midianite women invited Israelite men to sacrificial feasts involving ritual prostitution in Baal worship. This syncretism - attempting to worship both Yahweh and Baal - brought plague killing 24,000. Only when Phinehas executed judgment did the plague stop. This background explains the severity of judgment on Midian - they had deliberately sought Israel's spiritual destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What seemingly innocent relationships or entertainments are subtly drawing you away from wholehearted devotion to Christ?
- How do you resist the 'Balaam strategy' - the world's attempts to make you comfortable with compromise?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals Balaam's wicked strategy: 'These caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor.' Unable to curse what God had blessed, Balaam taught Midian how to cause Israel to curse themselves through idolatry and sexual immorality. This 'doctrine of Balaam' (Rev 2:14) represents compromise with worldliness, teaching God's people to sin so judgment falls. The Hebrew 'ma'al' (trespass/unfaithfulness) indicates covenant violation - spiritual adultery. This passage warns that Satan's greatest weapon isn't external persecution but internal corruption through worldly enticement.