Numbers 22 11

Numbers 22:11 kjv

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

Numbers 22:11 nkjv

'Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.' "

Numbers 22:11 niv

'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.'?"

Numbers 22:11 esv

'Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.'"

Numbers 22:11 nlt

'Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come and curse these people for me. Then perhaps I will be able to stand up to them and drive them from the land.'"

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 11 Meaning

Numbers 22:11 depicts Balak, the king of Moab, desperately appealing to Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet. Balak expresses profound fear of the vast Israelite population, describing them as so numerous they "covereth the face of the earth." He points out their immediate proximity to his kingdom and, recognizing their power stemming from their exodus from Egypt, pleads with Balaam to "curse" them. Balak's objective in seeking this spiritual attack is purely pragmatic: he hopes that Balaam's curse will empower Moab to militarily overcome Israel and expel them from his borders. The verse encapsulates Balak's terror, his belief in the potency of a prophetic curse, and his attempt to thwart God's plans through pagan means.

Numbers 22 11 Context

Numbers 22:11 is uttered by Balak, king of Moab, to Balaam, a diviner whom he has urgently summoned. This occurs on the plains of Moab as the Israelites conclude their forty years of wilderness wandering and stand poised to enter the Promised Land. Their recent, decisive victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og have filled Balak with immense fear, prompting his plea to Balaam. In the historical context of the ancient Near East, kings often sought the services of seers and diviners to influence supernatural forces, believing that spiritual curses could weaken enemies and secure military victory. Balak's request highlights his deep apprehension about Israel's sheer size and formidable military presence on his border. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic display of divine sovereignty, as the narrative will proceed to demonstrate that God’s blessings on Israel cannot be reversed by human machinations or pagan power, directly challenging the prevailing pagan worldview regarding curses and diviners.

Numbers 22 11 Word analysis

• Behold! (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An imperative interjection, commanding attention and conveying the urgency and importance of Balak's communication. It signals a dramatic and significant statement.
• there is a people (הָעָם - ha'am): Refers specifically to "the people" – Israel. The definite article highlights their known, distinct identity as a collective entity, not merely a tribal encampment.
• come out of Egypt (הַיֹּצֵא מִמִּצְרַיִם - hayyôtse' mimmiṣrayim): Directly references the Exodus event. This underscores Balak's awareness of Israel's supernatural deliverance and previous powerful acts, contributing to his terror. It implicitly acknowledges God's involvement with Israel.
• which covereth (כִּסָּה - kissāh): From kasah, meaning "to cover," "clothe," or "conceal." Here, it signifies a vast multitude, so numerous that they spread out to seemingly overwhelm the entire visible landscape, a hyperbolic expression of their immense numbers.
• the face of the earth (אֶת-עֵין הָאָרֶץ - et-'ên hā'āreṣ): Literally, "the eye of the land/earth." This idiom refers to the visible surface or prominent features of the landscape, like springs. It paints a vivid image of the Israelite camp’s sheer scale, filling every observable part of the territory from Balak's vantage point.
• and they abide (וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב - wəhû' yoṣēb): "And they are sitting/dwelling." Emphasizes their fixed presence and encampment, implying a sustained threat rather than a fleeting one, contrasting with mere passage through.
• over against me (לְנֶגְדִּי - ləneggdî): "Opposite me," "in front of me," or "adjacent to me." This term signifies their close proximity to Moabite territory, highlighting the immediate and direct threat Balak perceives to his kingdom.
• now therefore come (לְכָה-נָּא - ləḵāh-nnā'): "Come, please!" A desperate plea, conveying urgency and Balak’s reliance on Balaam’s unique powers. The suffix na' (please) adds politeness despite the command.
• curse me them (קָבָה-לִּי אֹתוֹ - qāḇāh-llî 'ōṯô): The verb qāvah is potent, suggesting "to put a spell on," "to bind by an oath," or "to blaspheme." It is a strong form of curse, not merely verbal abuse, intended to invoke supernatural power to weaken the target. The "for me" indicates the purpose: for Balak’s benefit and security.
• peradventure (אוּלַי - ulay): "Perhaps," "it may be." This adverb reveals Balak's uncertainty and desperation. He isn't fully confident in success but sees Balaam's curse as his best, uncertain hope for salvation.
• I shall be able (אוּכַל - ûḵal): "I will be able." Expresses the desired outcome of the curse – to empower Balak and his army.
• to overcome them (נַכֶּה-בּוֹ - nakkêh-bô): From nakah, "to strike," "smite," "defeat." It implies a military rout or decisive blow against Israel, enabled by the curse.
• and drive them out (וַאֲגָרְשֶׁנּוּ - wa'ăgāršennû): From garash, "to cast out," "expel," "drive away." This is Balak’s ultimate objective: to remove the Israelite threat entirely from his land.

Words-group analysis

• "Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt": This phrase immediately establishes Balak's acknowledgment of Israel's significant origin story and implied divine backing, hinting at the powerful, even miraculous, nature of this people who escaped a global superpower.
• "which covereth the face of the earth": This vivid, hyperbolic description emphasizes Balak’s overwhelming perception of Israel’s massive population and its widespread encampment, making them appear an unconquerable physical force.
• "and they abide over against me": This highlights the immediate and pressing danger to Moab. The proximity underscores Balak’s need for urgent, supernatural intervention rather than prolonged negotiation or standard military preparation.
• "now therefore come, curse me them": This direct command reveals Balak's belief in the efficacy of a diviner’s curse as a weapon against his enemies, representing a common ancient Near Eastern pagan worldview where spiritual pronouncements held significant power over outcomes.
• "peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out": This segment lays bare Balak’s true objective: military victory and territorial expulsion. His uncertainty ("peradventure") underscores his deep fear and suggests that even with Balaam’s help, he's not fully confident, relying on a desperate measure against an immense foe.

Numbers 22 11 Bonus section

The phrase "eye of the earth" (עין הארץ - 'ên hā'āreṣ) can also subtly imply "the spring of the land." This dual meaning is significant; while it primarily describes the vast numbers covering the visible terrain, it might also hint at Balak's deeper concern: that the Israelites were settling on vital resources like water sources, amplifying their threat beyond mere presence to a threat of resource depletion. This complements the later Moabite fear mentioned in Num 22:4 that Israel "will lick up all that is around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." Furthermore, Balak's choice of Balaam, a Mesopotamian, highlights a broad belief in such divination powers extending across different cultures, but the ensuing narrative demonstrates that the Lord God of Israel exercises singular control over all prophetic pronouncements, revealing Himself as supreme over all lesser deities and human machinations.

Numbers 22 11 Commentary

Numbers 22:11 articulates Balak's deep fear and strategic intent, forming the crux of the dilemma that unfolds. Faced with the vast Israelite host, described with potent hyperbole, Balak turns to Balaam as his last hope. His plea reflects the ancient world's belief in the power of professional diviners to manipulate spiritual forces and secure an advantage in conflict. Balak sees the Israelites as an existential threat, a multitude that eclipses the land, armed not just with numbers but with the reputation of coming out of Egypt under powerful auspices. He asks Balaam not for a casual insult, but for a profound curse (Hebrew qāvah) designed to "bind" or spiritually debilitate Israel, thus enabling his own forces to achieve military victory and expulsion. This request sets the stage for God's majestic display of sovereignty, as He would ultimately use Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet for hire, to pronounce blessings on His chosen people, utterly frustrating Balak’s schemes and proving that no human or pagan power can reverse what the Almighty God has blessed.

Examples for practical usage:

• When facing overwhelming odds: Just as Balak saw an overwhelming threat, believers might encounter seemingly insurmountable challenges, yet God's power is always greater.
• Seeking inappropriate solutions: Balak’s reliance on pagan divination to solve a spiritual problem illustrates the futility of seeking answers or help outside of God’s established will or truth.
• Futility of opposing God's plan: Any attempt to curse or thwart God’s blessed people or His divine agenda will ultimately fail, as demonstrated by Balaam’s inability to curse Israel.