1 While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women.
2 These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab.
3 In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the lord’s anger to blaze against his people.
4 The lord issued the following command to Moses: “Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the lord in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel.”