The prophet Balaam is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the people of Israel. While en route, Balaam’s donkey sees the angel of God blocking their way; the donkey speaks and chastises Balaam. Balaam attempts to curse the Israelites three separate times, but each time blessings come forth instead. Balaam prophesies about the coming of the Messiah. The Israelite men are seduced by the daughters of Moab and worship Peor, an idol. When an Israelite publicly brings a Midianite woman, a princess, into a tent, Pinchas, in a feat of remarkable physical strength, kills them both by impaling them with a spear.

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