Numbers 22 4

Numbers 22:4 kjv

And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

Numbers 22:4 nkjv

So Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

Numbers 22:4 niv

The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

Numbers 22:4 esv

And Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

Numbers 22:4 nlt

The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This mob will devour everything in sight, like an ox devours grass in the field!" So Balak, king of Moab,

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 4 Meaning

Numbers 22:4 depicts a crucial moment where the Moabites express intense fear to the Midianite elders regarding the vast multitude of Israel, likening their impending presence to an ox completely devouring the surrounding land. This alliance between two historical adversaries against a common perceived threat underscores their desperation. The verse also identifies Balak, the son of Zippor, as the current king of Moab, marking him as the central figure behind the subsequent actions to thwart Israel.

Numbers 22 4 Context

Numbers 22:4 occurs as the Israelites are at the threshold of the Promised Land, encamped in the plains of Moab across the Jordan from Jericho. Their recent decisive victories over Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan (Num 21), demonstrated their formidable strength and the power of their God. These events instilled great dread among the surrounding nations. This particular verse details the Moabites' deep apprehension, leading them to form an unprecedented alliance with their usual rivals, the Midianites, to counter what they perceived as an overwhelming existential threat. This shared fear catalyzes their plot to employ Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, to curse Israel, thus initiating the significant narrative of Balak and Balaam.

Numbers 22 4 Word analysis

• And Moab: The Moabites were descendants of Lot (Gen 19:37), historical adversaries of Israel, known for their pagan practices, especially the worship of Chemosh. Their very name often carried negative connotations in Israelite thought due to their origins and later hostilities. Here, they are presented as the primary agent expressing fear and seeking help.
• said unto the elders of Midian: "Elders" (Hebrew: zaken) refers to the venerable and authoritative leaders or representatives of the Midianite tribes. The Midianites, though descended from Abraham through Keturah (Gen 25:2), were frequently hostile to Israel (e.g., Exod 2:15; Judg 6:1). This unusual consultation and subsequent alliance highlights the magnitude of the perceived threat that superseded their usual rivalries or neutrality.
• Now shall this company: "This company" (Hebrew: qahal or 'am) refers to the vast, organized assembly of the Israelite nation. The Moabites do not underestimate their numbers or unity.
• lick up: The Hebrew word is lachak (לָחַךְ), which literally means "to lick." This is an extremely vivid and strong agricultural metaphor, painting a picture of total, swift, and comprehensive consumption or devastation, like an animal devouring grass to its very roots, leaving nothing behind. It suggests unstoppable hunger and a clean sweep.
• all that are round about us: This emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of their fear. The Moabites felt threatened not just by Israel's immediate presence but by their potential to expand and engulf all adjacent lands and resources, leaving no survivors or anything untouched.
• as the ox licketh up the grass of the field: This powerful simile further amplifies the imagery of complete and irresistible consumption. An ox grazing consumes the grass thoroughly and relentlessly. It underscores the Moabites' perception of Israel as an overwhelming force of nature, voraciously taking everything in their path, leaving a wasteland behind. It is a testament to the sheer size and impact of Israel's presence.
• And Balak the son of Zippor: This is an explicit identification of the Moabite king at this critical juncture. "Balak" (בָּלָק) likely means "devastator" or "emptier," ironically mirroring the fear he expresses about Israel. His mention sets him as the central antagonist in the forthcoming narrative.
• was king of the Moabites at that time: This firmly establishes Balak's authority and direct responsibility for the actions that follow, particularly his desperate decision to hire Balaam to curse Israel. His position indicates that this was not a rogue decision but the official policy of the Moabite kingdom.

Numbers 22 4 Bonus section

The fear expressed by Moab and Midian is a profound testament to the reputation God had built for Israel through His miraculous interventions and their victories. It directly reflects previous promises by God (e.g., Exod 23:27, Deut 2:25) that He would cause the nations to fear His people. This fear among their enemies, paradoxically, often served as a form of divine protection, as it intimidated adversaries and set the stage for Israel's preeminence. The "ox licking up grass" metaphor is not merely a statement of quantity but also speed and totality—it is quick, effective, and leaves nothing. This implies the Moabites perceived Israel as a force capable of rapid, wholesale conquest without residue. Their immediate move to sorcery, as revealed in the subsequent verses, demonstrates the pagan mind's reliance on occult practices to manipulate perceived spiritual powers in the face of overwhelming physical threats. This contrast serves to highlight the superiority of YHWH's power and sovereignty over all such divination.

Numbers 22 4 Commentary

Numbers 22:4 serves as a dramatic opening to the Balak-Balaam narrative, pivoting the Israelites from external conquest to an encounter with spiritual warfare initiated by the Moabites and Midianites. The verse highlights the deep-seated fear gripping these pagan nations. Their descriptive language, portraying Israel as an unstoppable, grass-devouring ox, vividly conveys their sense of helplessness in the face of Israel's overwhelming size and victorious advance, attributing a consuming power to them akin to a natural catastrophe.

This profound fear stemmed from reports of Israel's military might, which was in reality a manifestation of the LORD's covenant faithfulness and power working on behalf of His people. The alliance between Moab and Midian is notable, signifying their desperate plight in uniting against a common perceived existential threat, even though they historically might have been rivals. The introduction of Balak, the king of Moab, underscores that this was a national, top-level response to the "Israelite problem." His decision to seek a magical solution via a non-Israelite prophet reveals a worldview reliant on pagan sorcery rather than trust in any true deity, setting up a theological clash that will show the sovereignty of God over all curses and human schemes. The verse, therefore, sets the stage for the revelation of God's impenetrable protection over Israel, despite the desperate attempts of their enemies.