Numbers 23:28

28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of ¹Peor, which overlooks ²the desert. ^[a]

Numbers 23:28 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 23:28

And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor
The name of an high mountain in Moab, so called from a gap or opening in it; here the idol Baal was worshipped, and from hence had the name of Baalpeor, ( Numbers 25:3 ) and here, very probably, was a temple built to the honour of him, called Bethpeor, the house or temple of Baalpeor, ( Deuteronomy 34:6 ) ,

that looketh towards Jeshimon;
as Pisgah also did, and very likely it was not far from it, since from thence they came hither, ( Numbers 23:14 ) ( 21:20 ) . Jeshimon is the same with Bethjesimoth, and so the Targum of Jonathan here calls it, a part of the plains of Moab, where Israel lay encamped, ( Numbers 33:49 ) so that from hence Balaam could have a full view of them.

Numbers 23:28 In-Context

26 But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the Lord says, that I must do’? ”

27 And Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there. ”

28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert.

29 And Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams. ”

30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Cross References

• 1. 23:28 ch. 25:18; 31:16; Josh. 22:17; Ps. 106:28, 29; Hos. 9:10; [ch. 25:3, 5]
• 2. 23:28 See ch. 21:20

Footnotes

• [a] 23:28 Or 'Jeshimon'