The book is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle,[1] but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate.

Israelites did commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, eat things sacrificed to idols, and bowed down to Baal Peor, is certain (Numbers 25:1); but that this was brought about through the counsel of Balaam is not so plainly expressed, though it is hinted at in Numbers 31:15; but the Jewish writers are very clear about this matter.

Jonathan ben Uzziel, one of the Targumists on Numbers 24:14, has these words of Balaam, This now was the stumbling block he taught Balak to lay before them.

The Samaritan Chronicle says [16] that this counsel pleased the king, and he sent into the camp of Israel, on a sabbath day, 24,000 young women, by whom the Israelites were so seduced, that they did everything they desired them, which was just the number of those that were slain, Numbers 25:9.

[17] The Jerusalem Bible suggests that Jezebel was a "self-styled prophetess of the Nicolaitan sect".