בַּ֫עַל פְּעוֹר (ba.al pe.or)
ba.al pe.or
Baal of Peor
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The phrase Baal-peor refers to a specific local manifestation of the Canaanite god Baal, worshipped at the site of Peor. Literally translating to "lord of the gap" or "lord of the opening," this title likely alludes to the geography of the location or the nature of its rituals. The sources note that this deity was associated with probable licentious rites, making him a symbol of sexual immorality and idolatry in the biblical narrative.
Though it appears only five times in Scripture, Baal-peor carries significant weight as a marker of Israel’s spiritual failure. It is most prominent in Numbers 25 and Deuteronomy 4:3, where the people engage in both sexual immorality and worship of foreign gods at Peor. This incident serves as a stark warning against syncretism, illustrating how the allure of local deities could lead the community away from exclusive loyalty to Yahweh.
The name itself distinguishes this particular idol from other forms of Baal worship by tying it to a specific place and practice. By referencing Baal-peor, the biblical authors highlight the concrete dangers of adopting neighboring religious customs. The memory of this event remains a cautionary tale about the cost of compromising faith for cultural integration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The phrase Baal-peor appears in Scripture as a stark reminder of the danger of mixing devotion to God with the practices of surrounding cultures. It refers to a specific local form of idolatry where Israel’s loyalty was compromised through participation in rites that were fundamentally opposed to Yahweh’s holiness. This historical event shows how quickly spiritual fidelity can erode when we allow external influences to shape our worship.
For your faith today, this word serves as a warning against syncretism—the blending of Christian belief with worldly values or unbiblical practices. It invites you to examine where compromises might be creeping into your life, whether through relationships, habits, or cultural norms that dilute your commitment to Christ. The call is not merely to avoid specific acts, but to maintain exclusive loyalty to God.
By remembering the consequences of this ancient failure, you are encouraged to pursue purity and single-minded devotion. Let this history deepen your appreciation for God’s patience while reinforcing the importance of standing firm in truth. May your heart remain fixed on Him alone, finding security in His presence rather than the fleeting allure of the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Peor6×
- to/ Baal3×
- Baal2×
- at/ Baal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּע֑וֹר3×
- לְ/בַ֣עַל2×
- בַֽעַל\־2×
- פְּעֽוֹר\׃1×
- פְּע֗וֹר1×
- פְּע֔וֹר1×
- לְ/בַ֥עַל1×
- בְּ/בַ֣עַל1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 25:3
Israel joined himself to Baal Peor, and Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel.
This verse marks the turning point where Israel’s union with Baal-peor directly provoked Yahweh’s anger, showing that idolatry is not a private matter but an offense against God's covenant.
-
Deuteronomy 4:3
Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for Yahweh your God has destroyed all the men who followed Baal Peor from among you.
Moses uses this event as a concrete example of God’s justice, reminding the new generation that He actively removes those who follow other gods to preserve His people.
-
Psalms 106:28
They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
The psalmist highlights the severity of the sin by linking the worship of Baal-peor with eating sacrifices to dead spirits, illustrating the total spiritual corruption involved.