Psalm 106:28

Verse 28. They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, -- rather "bound themselves with his badge": for it was the custom in ancient times, as it is now, in all Pagan countries, for every idol to have some specific badge, or ensign, by which his votaries are known. -- John Kitto, in "Daily Bible Illustrations."

Verse 28. They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor. The narrative ( Numbers 25:1-18 ) seems clearly to show that this form of Baal worship was connected with licentious rites. Without laying too much stress on the Rabbinical derivation of the word rw[p, hiatus, i.e., "aperire hymenem virgineum", we seem to have reason to conclude that this was the nature of the worship. Baal Peor was identified by the Rabbins and early fathers with Priapus (see the authorities quoted by Selden, De Diis Syris, 1., 4, p. 302, sq., who, however, dissents from this view.) This is, moreover, the view of Creuzer (2., 411), Winer, Gesenius, Furst, and almost all critics. The reader is referred for more detailed information particularly to Creuzer's Symbolik and Movers' Phnizier. --William Gotch, in "Smith's Dictionary of the Bible."

Verse 28. Ate the sacrifices. It was usual for the officers to eat the chief part of the sacrifice. Hence the remarks of Paul on this subject, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 . --Benjamin Boothroyd.

Verse 28. The dead. The word ~ytm, maithim, signifies dead men; for the idols of the heathen were generally men, -- warriors, kings, or lawgivers, -- who had been deified after their death; though many of them had been execrated during their life. --Comprehensive Bible.

Verse 28. And they ate the sacrifices of the dead.