Numbers 31:16

16 “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD ’s people.

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 furious with all the generals and captains who had returned from the battle.

15 “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded.

16 “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD ’s people.

17 So kill all the boys and all the women who have had intercourse with a man.

18 Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves.