ABSTRACT
Hebrew characters of the story, and how might a Hebrew audience feel about Moabites? The story of Lot and his daughters Genesis 19) suggests, for a start, that feelings of moral superiority, a righteous chauvinism, might be characteristic ofattitudes to this near neighbor. Furthermore, the story of Moab's hostility to Israel's advance toward the promised land is capped by the tale of the sin ofBaal-Peor: "When Israel dwelt in Shittim the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate (!), and bowed down to their gods." This resulted in the kindling of Yahweh's anger and the death of many of the chiefs of the people (Numbers 25).
