Numbers 22:36

36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, ¹on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border.

Numbers 22:36 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:36

And when Balak heard that Balaam was come
Messengers being sent to acquaint him with it, either by Balaam, or by the princes:

he went out to meet him;
overjoyed at the news that his princes had succeeded, and to show him respect, and do him honour, and all to encourage him to do his utmost for him:

unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the
utmost coast;
by the situation of it, being on the border of the river Arnon, which river was in the extreme parts of Moab, and divided between the Moabites and Amorites, it is generally thought to be the city Ar, called "Ar of Moab", see ( Numbers 21:13 Numbers 21:28 ) , and the king coming to meet Balaam so far as the uttermost border of his dominions showed the greater respect to him.

Numbers 22:36 In-Context

34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

35 And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border.

37 And Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?"

38 Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak."

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 21:13