Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 25:2

2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods : and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods :

This may be noted, either 1. as the consequent of their whoredome, an invitation to further society in their sacr[illegible: 1+ letters]d feasts: or rather 2. as the cause or occasion of their whoredome, the Hebrew vau here signifying for, as it oft doth. The Moabites being now neighbours to the Israelites, and finding themselves unable to effect their design against Israel by war and witchcraft, they now fell another way to work, by contracting familiarity with them, and, perceiving their evil and lustful inclinations, they, i. e. their daughters, last mentioned, invited them to their feasts.

(i. e.) Unto the feasts which were made of their parts of their sacrifices, after the manner of the Iews and Gentiles too, the participation whereof, was reckoned a participation in the worship of that God to whom the sacrifices were offered, 1 Cor. 10. 8. and therefore was forbidden to the Israelites when such feasts and sacrifices belonged to a false God, Exod. 34. 15. Yet this was a less and more modest kind of Idolatry, and therefore is fitly used to usher in what was more gross and impious.

(i. e.) Of their God, Baal-p[illegible: 1+ letters]r, the plural Elohim being here used, as commonly it is, for one God.

Which properly notes the outward act of worship, which here consisting in or being accompanied with filthy actions, may either signifie or connote them.

Before their Gods, or, to the honour and worship of their Gods.

Marginal references: Josh. 22. [illegible: 1 word]. Psal. 106. 28. Hos. 9. 10.