Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,

JOSHUA 22:17KJV
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Joshua 22:17 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:17 mean?

Joshua 22:17 refers to a past sin involving Peor, warning that the people of Israel are still affected by its consequences even up to the present time, as shown by the plague that struck the community. The verse highlights that the effects of this wrongdoing have not fully gone away, and serves as a reminder to avoid repeating such mistakes.

In this verse, the leaders of Israel are speaking to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had built an altar by the Jordan River. The leaders remind them of the "iniquity of Peor"—an incident where Israelites worshiped the god of Peor and were punished by a plague. The verse points out that the community is still dealing with the aftermath of that sin, underlining how seriously God views unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:17

  • "iniquity" (עָוֺן, ʿavon): This word refers to guilt or wrongdoing, especially in a moral or religious sense. Here, it emphasizes the seriousness of the sin at Peor and its lingering effects.
  • "Peor" (פְּעוֹר, Peor): This is the name of a Moabite god and the place where Israelites committed idolatry. Mentioning Peor brings to mind a specific, shameful event in Israel’s history.
  • "cleansed" (טָהֵר, taher): This word means to be purified or made clean. The verse says the people are "not cleansed until this day," stressing that the consequences of the sin still linger.
  • "plague" (נֶגֶף, negef): This word refers to a blow or plague, specifically the punishment that struck the Israelites because of their sin at Peor. It highlights the real and deadly consequences of turning away from God.

Why Joshua 22:17 matters

  • Joshua 22:17 clarifies that the effects of past disobedience can continue to impact a community long after the event itself, urging carefulness in present actions.
  • The verse connects the current situation—building an altar that could be seen as rebellious—to a previous incident of unfaithfulness, showing how leaders use history to warn against repeating mistakes.
  • This reminder ties the story to the broader theme of communal responsibility in Israel, where one group's actions can affect the whole nation.

Where else these words appear

“Peor” Hebrew H6465 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
  • Numbers 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

“plague” Hebrew H5063 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
  • Numbers 8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
  • Numbers 16:47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

“cleansed” Hebrew H2891 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
  • Leviticus 14:31 Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

“little” Hebrew H4592 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 1 Samuel 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
  • Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.