בֵּית פְּעוֹר
Beth-Peor, a place East of the Jordan
Definition
Beth-Peor is a place name meaning 'house of Peor,' located east of the Jordan River in the territory of Moab, near Mount Pisgah. It is most significant as the location where the Israelites camped before entering the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3:29, 4:46) and where Moses was buried (Deuteronomy 34:6). The name is also used to designate a portion of the land later allocated to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:20). The site is forever linked to the final events of Moses' life and leadership.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used exclusively in historical and geographical contexts within the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua. It consistently refers to the specific location in Moab where Israel encamped. All four occurrences (Deuteronomy 3:29, 4:46, 34:6; Joshua 13:20) serve to anchor the narrative of Israel's transition from wilderness wandering to conquest in a real, named place.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: בַּיִת (bayith, H1004), meaning 'house' or 'household,' and פְּעוֹר (Pᵉʻôwr, H6465), the name of a Moabite deity associated with the mountain of Peor. Thus, Beth-Peor literally means 'house/temple of Peor,' indicating it was a cultic site dedicated to that god.
Semantic Range
Beth-Peor is theologically significant as a location marking a major transition in salvation history. It was the staging ground for Moses' final sermons (the book of Deuteronomy) and his death, symbolizing the end of the Exodus generation's leadership. Its name, referencing a pagan god (Peor), stands in stark contrast to the monotheistic law delivered there, highlighting the tension between the holy God of Israel and the idolatrous cultures surrounding His people. Understanding its etymology enriches the reading of Deuteronomy, reminding us that God's word was proclaimed in a place literally named for a rival deity.
In its original context, 'Beth-Peor' would have immediately signaled to an ancient Israelite that this was a site of pagan worship, specifically of the Moabite god Peor, with whom the Israelites had previously engaged in idolatry and sexual immorality (Numbers 25). The name itself served as a cultural and religious landmark, a reminder of both past failure and God's ongoing presence with His people even in a region marked by foreign gods.
פְּעוֹר (Pᵉʻôwr, H6465) — The name of the deity and the associated mountain, whereas Beth-Peor is the settlement or cult site. פִּסְגָּה (Pisgah, H6449) — A nearby mountain peak (Mount Nebo) in the same region, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →