Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab;
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Settim, which had Abel, “mourning,” prefixed to it, (Calmet. 33:49,) on account of the slaughter of 24,000 of the Israelites, verse 6. 9. It was situated in the plains of Moab, near the Jordan, and was the last station of the Hebrews. Calmet.—In this neighbourhood all the following transactions occurred, which are recorded, till the end of the Pentateuch. Menochius.—Balaam, being convinced that the Hebrews would be invincible, as long as they continued faithful to God, advised the nations, who had sent to consult him, to let their daughters converse freely with the Israelites, but not to yield to their impure desires, unless they consented to offer sacrifice to their idols. Calmet.—Thus they first captivated their hearts, and then subverted their understanding: For some rejecting a good conscience, have made shipwreck concerning the faith. 1 Timothy 1:19. Bible.—By the same method many have been drawn into heresy. Worthington.—The counsels of an able but wicked man, are often followed by the most dreadful effects. That these women were sent by the Moabites, and also by the Madianites, (verse 6. 17,) instigated by the perverse counsels of Balaam, ( Calmet.) appears not only from the event being recorded in this place, but also by the express declaration of Moses, Calmet. 31:7. 8, and of the Apocalypse, Calmet. 2:14. Salien, Mic. 6:5. Bible.