Psalms 106:28
They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
Original Language Analysis
וַ֭יִּצָּ֣מְדוּ
They joined
H6775
וַ֭יִּצָּ֣מְדוּ
They joined
Strong's:
H6775
Word #:
1 of 6
to link, i.e., gird; figuratively, to serve, (mentally) contrive
Cross References
Hosea 9:10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.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.Numbers 25:5And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.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.
Historical Context
Numbers 25:1-9 records that while camped at Shittim, Israelite men engaged in sexual immorality with Moabite women who invited them to sacrifices to their gods. Israel 'joined himself unto Baal-peor' and God's anger burned. A plague killed 24,000 until Phinehas executed an Israelite man and Midianite woman engaged in blatant immorality. This incident occurred just before entering Canaan, showing even proximity to the Promised Land didn't prevent apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual adultery (idolatry) relate to sexual immorality?
- What does 'joining' to false gods teach about the exclusive nature of covenant with Yahweh?
- How do modern believers 'eat sacrifices of the dead' by participating in idolatrous culture?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse recounts Israel's worship of Baal at Peor (Numbers 25). 'They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor' uses tsamad (צָמַד), meaning to be yoked or joined—indicating covenant allegiance. They entered covenant relationship with a false god. 'Ate the sacrifices of the dead' refers to eating meat offered to idols. 'The dead' may mean lifeless idols or could refer to ancestor worship/necromancy associated with Baal worship. Either way, it contrasts dead idols with the living God. This idolatry was accompanied by sexual immorality with Moabite women (Numbers 25:1), showing how spiritual adultery (idolatry) and physical adultery often accompany each other.