Numbers — Chapter 25

Israel fornicates with the daughters of Moab and worships Baal-Peor; this was Balaam's counsel to Balak — if you cannot curse them by prophecy, corrupt them through women. \"Beauty conquers the armed; charm captures the sword\" (Origen's Balaam).

Phinehas seizes a spear and runs through Zimri and Cozbi; the plague ceases after 24,000 have died. Holy zeal for God's honour expressed in decisive action saves the rest of Israel.

God rewards Phinehas with the \"covenant of peace\" and \"an everlasting covenant of priesthood for him and his seed after him, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the children of Israel.\" Priestly zeal expiates communal sin.