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.