Numbers 31:16

16 Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

Numbers 31:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:16

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the
counsel of Balaam
Who advised the Midianites to send their women into the camp of Israel, and allure them to uncleanness, and so draw them into idolatry, which counsel they followed and it succeeded; for, by this means, they were brought

to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor;
by worshipping Baalpeor, the god of the Moabites and Midianites; whereby they transgressed the commandment of God, which forbid them having and worshipping any other gods besides him, and is a sin highly offensive to him, being greatly derogatory to his honour and glory:

and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord;
for that sin; and in that plague died 24,000 persons, ( Numbers 25:9 ) .

Numbers 31:16 In-Context

14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, who had come from the battle.

15 And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive?

16 Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately.

18 But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.