פְּעוֹר
Peor, a mountain East of Jordan; Baal Peor, (for a deity worshipped there
Definition
פְּעוֹר (Peor) is a proper noun referring primarily to a mountain east of the Jordan River, in the region of Moab, from which Balaam attempted to curse Israel (Numbers 23:28). More significantly, it is associated with the Canaanite deity 'Baal of Peor' (Baal Peor), a local manifestation of the Baal cult worshipped at that site, which led Israel into grievous idolatry and sexual immorality (Numbers 25:3, 18). The name thus denotes both the geographical location and the false god venerated there, a connection that made 'Peor' a byword for apostasy in Israel's memory, as recalled in Joshua 22:17.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively in historical narratives recounting Israel's final period in the wilderness and its later reflections. It appears four times: three times in Numbers, detailing the location of Balaam's oracle (Numbers 23:28), the subsequent idolatrous incident with Baal Peor (Numbers 25:18, 31:16), and once in Joshua, where the tribes west of the Jordan use the event as a solemn warning against rebellion (Joshua 22:17). Its usage is always tied to the pivotal sin of Baal Peor.
Etymology
Derived from the root פָּעַר (pāʿar, H6473), meaning 'to open wide,' often referring to the mouth. 'Peor' likely means 'a gap' or 'cleft,' a fitting description for a mountain feature. The full title בַּעַל פְּעוֹר (Baʿal Pᵉʿôr, H1187) identifies the 'lord' or deity of that place, a common pattern for local Canaanite gods.
Semantic Range
Peor is theologically significant as the site of one of Israel's most notorious failures before entering the Promised Land, representing the seductive danger of syncretism and idolatry. The event (Numbers 25) resulted in a severe plague and divine judgment, underscoring God's holiness and jealousy for exclusive worship. Understanding 'Peor' enriches reading by connecting a geographical name to a profound lesson about covenant faithfulness and the consequences of spiritual compromise.
In the ancient Near East, deities were often associated with specific mountains or locations, believed to be their dwelling places or spheres of power. 'Baal of Peor' was such a local manifestation, likely a fertility god whose worship involved ritual prostitution, as indicated in Numbers 25:1-2. For Israel, engaging in this worship was not merely religious infidelity but also a profound violation of their covenant identity, merging with the very pagan cultures they were commanded to reject.
בַּעַל (Baʿal, H1168) — The general title 'lord' or the name of the chief Canaanite storm/fertility god, of which Baal Peor was a specific local form. בֵּית פְּעוֹר (Bêyth Pᵉʿôr, H1047) — 'House of Peor,' a nearby town or settlement associated with the mountain region (Deuteronomy 3:29, 4:46).
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 →