Numbers 22:11

11 Lo! a people that is gone out of Egypt hath covered the face of the earth; come thou, and curse them, if in any manner I may fight with them (for then I may be able to fight against them), and drive them away.

Numbers 22:11 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:11

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt
In this, and the following part of the verse, he faithfully and punctually relates the words of Balak to him by his messengers, as well knowing he could not deceive the omniscient God, or hide anything from him, though he could deceive men; and conceal the truth from them, to serve a purpose; (See Gill on Numbers 22:5) (See Gill on Numbers 22:6).

Numbers 22:11 In-Context

9 God came, and said to him, What will these men with thee? (And God came, and said to him, Who be these men with thee?)

10 Balaam answered, Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moabites, sent (them) to me, and (he) said,

11 Lo! a people that is gone out of Egypt hath covered the face of the earth; come thou, and curse them, if in any manner I may fight with them (for then I may be able to fight against them), and drive them away.

12 And God said to Balaam, Do not thou go with them, neither curse thou the people, for it is blessed (for they be blessed/for on the contrary, they should be blessed).

13 And Balaam rose early, and said to the princes, Go ye into your land (Go ye back to your land), for God hath forbade me to come with you.