Location
Overview
Peor was a height in Moab overlooking the wilderness, and "Baal-peor" the local deity worshipped there. The place is remembered for both a thwarted curse and a grievous sin.
Balaam on the heights
Balak brought the prophet Balaam "unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon" to curse Israel; instead Balaam could only bless them (Numbers 23:28; 24:10).
The sin of Baal-peor
What cursing could not do, seduction nearly did. Israel "joined himself unto Baalpeor," committing immorality with the daughters of Moab and bowing to their gods, and a plague broke out (Numbers 25:1–3).
The zeal of Phinehas
The plague was stayed when Phinehas, the priest's grandson, acted in zeal for the LORD; for this he received a covenant of peace (Numbers 25:7–13). Baal-peor became a lasting warning (Psalm 106:28; Hosea 9:10).
Events Here
Balaam blesses Israel from the top of Peor
Israel sins at Baal-peor; Phinehas stays the plague
Scripture References
9 versesNumbers5 verses
Numbers 23:28
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
Numbers 25:3
And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
Numbers 25:5
And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
Numbers 25:18
For 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.
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.
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 4:3
Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
Joshua1 verse
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,
Psalms1 verse
Psalms 106:28
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
Hosea1 verse
Hosea 9:10
I 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 Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
Archaeology & History
Peor was one of the heights of the Abarim range in Moab, near Mount Nebo and Beth-peor (where Moses was buried, Deuteronomy 34:6), overlooking the plains of Moab and the Jordan Valley. Its exact summit is uncertain, but it lay among the Moabite highlands east of the Jordan opposite Jericho.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Baal-peor (Mount Peor)
Where is Baal-peor (Mount Peor) today?
Today, Baal-peor (Mount Peor) corresponds to Heights of Moab, near Mount Nebo, Jordan.
What does the name Baal-peor (Mount Peor) mean?
The name Baal-peor (Mount Peor) means “Peor = "opening, cleft"; Baal-peor = "lord of Peor"”.
What happened at Baal-peor (Mount Peor) in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Baal-peor (Mount Peor) include balaam blesses israel from the top of peor; israel sins at baal-peor; phinehas stays the plague.
Where is Baal-peor (Mount Peor) first mentioned in the Bible?
Baal-peor (Mount Peor) is first mentioned in Numbers 23:28.
How often is Baal-peor (Mount Peor) mentioned in the Bible?
Baal-peor (Mount Peor) is mentioned in 9 verses across 5 books: Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Psalms, Hosea.
What was the sin of Baal-peor?
Israel was seduced into immorality with Moabite women and into worshipping their god Baal-peor; a plague followed and was stopped by the zeal of Phinehas.
What is the connection with Balaam?
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor to curse Israel, but he could only bless them. The corruption that cursing failed to achieve came instead through the seduction at Baal-peor.