John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods , etc.] That is, the daughters of Moab and Midian, with whom the children of Israel carried on an unlawful correspondence, invited them, their gallants, to come and partake of the feasts which attended the sacrifices of their idols; for part of what was offered to idols a feast was kept with, to which great numbers were invited, and which was observed with all the circumstances of joy and pleasure imaginable, and which was very ensnaring, especially to young people; and the children of Israel being so much enamoured with the beauty of the Moabitish women, and so strong were their lusts and passions, that they could not refuse the invitation: and the people did eat : of the things sacrificed to idols, and so became guilty of idolatry, even by so doing, and then when they had eaten and drank, and were merry, they were led on to other acts of idolatry: and bowed down to their gods : which was a plain and open act of idolatry, whereby they testified their faith in their divinity, their reverence of them, and their homage and obedience to them: Jarchi says, when the evil concupiscence or lust was strong in them, and they solicited the daughters of Moab to hearken to them, and comply with them, they used to take the image of Peor out of their bosom, and said, worship this, signifying that on that condition they would gratify them; and thus whoredom led them on to idolatry, and they committed the one for the sake of being indulged in the other.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The friendship of the wicked is more dangerous than their enmity; for none can prevail against God's people if they are not overcome by their inbred lusts; nor can any enchantment hurt them, but the enticements of worldly interests and pleasures. Here is the sin of Israel, to whic they are enticed by the daughters of Moab and Midian. Those are ou worst enemies who draw us to sin, for that is the greatest mischief an man can do us. Israel's sin did that which all Balaam's enchantment could not do; it set God against them. Diseases are the fruits of God' anger, and the just punishments of prevailing sins; one infectio follows the other. Ringleaders in sin ought to be made examples of justice.
Original Hebrew ותקראן7121 לעם5971 לזבחי2077 אלהיהן430 ויאכל398 העם5971 וישׁתחוו7812 לאלהיהן׃430
