Peor

Opening. (1.) A mountain peak (Num. 23:28) to which Balak led Balaam as a last effort to induce him to pronounce a curse upon Israel. When he looked on the tribes encamped in the acacia groves below him, he could not refrain from giving utterance to a remarkable benediction (24:1-9). Balak was more than ever enraged at Balaam, and bade him flee for his life. But before he went he gave expression to that wonderful prediction regarding the future of this mysterious people, whose “goodly tents” were spread out before him, and the coming of a “Star” out of Jacob and a “Sceptre” out of Israel (24:14-17). (2.) A Moabite divinity, called also “Baal-peor” (Num. 25:3, 5, 18; comp. Deut. 3:29).

(cleft), a mountain peak in Moab belonging to the Abarim range, and near Pisgah, to which, after having ascended Pisgah, the prophet Balaam was conducted by Balak that he might look upon the whole host of Israel and curse them. (Numbers 23:14,28) In four passages— (Numbers 25:18) twice; Numb 31:16; Josh 22:17—Peor occurs as a contraction for Baal-peor. [Baal.)

PE'OR (cleft), the mountain-peak to which Balak brought Balaam to curse Israel. Num 23:28. The camp of Israel was at this time in the Jordan valley, near the Dead Sea. Beth-peor was "over against" the camp. Deut 3:29; Deut 34:6. Peor is described as "facing Jeshimon," and this is also said of Pisgah. The Rev. J.A. Paine proposed to identify Pisgah with Jebel Siaghah in the Abarim range opposite Jericho. Of the three summits of Siaghah he suggested the first or western as one station of Balaam. Num 22:41, and the second summit as the top of Peor, but his theory is disputed by Dr. Merrill and others. Balaam was first at "the top of Pisgah "and then upon "the top of Peor," Num 23:14, Acts 20:28, another peak evidently not far from Pisgah. From this he exclaimed, "How goodly are thy tents, Jacob!" See Pisgah.

hole; opening

PE'OR (cleft), the mountain-peak to which Balak brought Balaam to curse Israel. Num 23:28. The camp of Israel was at this time in the Jordan valley, near the Dead Sea. Beth-peor was "over against" the camp. Deut 3:29; Deut 34:6. Peor is described as "facing Jeshimon," and this is also said of Pisgah. The Rev. J.A. Paine proposed to identify Pisgah with Jebel Siaghah in the Abarim range opposite Jericho. Of

the three summits of Siaghah he suggested the first or western as one station of Balaam. Num 22:41, and the second summit as the top of Peor, but his theory is disputed by Dr. Merrill and others. Balaam was first at "the top of Pisgah "and then upon "the top of Peor," Num 23:14, Acts 20:28, another peak evidently not far from Pisgah. From this he exclaimed, "How goodly are thy tents, Jacob!" See Pisgah.