Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Study Note
Study Note
The letter to Pergamum censures those who 'hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.' Numbers 25 and 31:16 record Balaam's counsel to Balak that caused Israel to sin at Peor, and Revelation reconfigures this ancient apostasy as a pattern for the compromising of Pergamum's church within Roman civic religion. The specific charges — idol food and sexual immorality — were the twin issues addressed by the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:20), suggesting Pergamum's 'Balaamites' were ignoring those foundational Gentile-church norms. The risen Christ promises to fight against such compromise with the sword of his mouth (Isaiah 49:2), the word that both judges and restores.
Other Translations
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
`But I have against thee a few things: That thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam, who did teach Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom;
But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh.
Cross References
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do …
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
And Israel joined himself unto Baal–peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and …
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the …
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the …
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way …
Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together …
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, …
Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have …