Numbers 22:2-6

2 Now 1Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 2So Moab was in great fear because * of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.
4 Moab said to the elders of 3Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5 So he sent messengers to 4Balaam the son of Beor, at 5Pethor, which is near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite * me.
6 "6Now, therefore, please come, 7curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."

Numbers 22:2-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 22

The children of Israel being come into the plains of Moab, put the king of Moab into a panic, who expressed his fears to the elders of Midian, Nu 22:1-4 and sent for Balaam the soothsayer to curse the people of Israel, but he, upon consulting the Lord refused to come, Nu 22:5-14, on which the king of Moab sent to him a second time, making large promises of preferment to him, and who at this time got leave from the Lord to go with the messengers, Nu 22:15-21, but was met with in the way by an angel of the Lord, who would have slain him had it not been for his ass, of which a very wonderful revelation is given, Nu 22:22-35, and the chapter is closed with the interview between Balak king of Moab and Balaam, and an account of what passed between them, and what was done by them, Nu 22:36-41.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Judges 11:25
  • 2. Exodus 15:15
  • 3. Numbers 25:15-18; Numbers 31:1-3
  • 4. Joshua 24:9; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11
  • 5. Deuteronomy 23:4
  • 6. Numbers 22:17; Numbers 23:7, 8
  • 7. Numbers 22:12; Numbers 24:9

Footnotes 4

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