Peor

Name means “hole; opening”Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary: “Peor, hole; opening”

First named: Numbers 23:28

Mountain Moab Transjordan Exodus/Wilderness

Disputed identification: A peak in Moab overlooking the wasteland (Numbers 23:28), not securely located. The name is shared with Baal of Peor, the local god, and with the sin committed there, which have their own page (Baal-peor).

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A mountain peak in Moab looking out over the wasteland and Israel's camp below. It was the third place King Balak of Moab took the prophet Balaam, after Bamoth-baal and the top of Pisgah, still hoping he would curse Israel; Balak built seven altars there as before (Numbers 23:27-30). This time Balaam did not look for omens, and God's Spirit came on him as he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe, and he blessed them a third time, to Balak's fury (Numbers 24:1-11). The name Peor soon became attached to Israel's shame: the Israelites joined in worshiping Baal of Peor with the women of Moab, and Moses later revealed that the plan had come from Balaam's counsel (Numbers 25:1-3; 31:16; see Baal-peor).

References: Numbers 23:28; Numbers 25:3; Numbers 25:5; Numbers 25:18; Numbers 31:16; Deuteronomy 4:3; Joshua 22:17; Psalm 106:28

People connected to Peor

Balaam (M) — blessed Israel a third time from the top of Peor, but later advised the plan that led Israel into sin there
Numbers 24:1-9; Numbers 31:16
Balak (M) — took Balaam to the top of Peor for a third attempt to curse Israel
Numbers 23:27-30

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