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.
Study Helps
Interpretation
The sword of war should spare women and children; but the sword of justice should know no distinction, but that of guilty or not guilty. This war was the execution of a righteous sentence upon a guilty nation, in which the women were the worst criminals.
Read with
This thought runs through Numbers 31:16-20.
Glossary
- Balaam Person
- Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites ( Num. 31:8 ; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor ( Deut. 23:4 ), in Mesopotamia ( Num. 23:7 ).
- Peor Place
- Opening. (1. ) A mountain peak ( Num. 23:28 ) to which Balak led Balaam as a last effort to induce him to pronounce a curse upon Israel. Modern identification: Khirbet Ayun Musa.