Numbers 22 5

Numbers 22:5 kjv

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Numbers 22:5 nkjv

Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: "Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!

Numbers 22:5 niv

sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said: "A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

Numbers 22:5 esv

sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me.

Numbers 22:5 nlt

sent messengers to call Balaam son of Beor, who was living in his native land of Pethor near the Euphrates River. His message said: "Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me.

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 5 Meaning

Balak, the king of Moab, deeply apprehensive about the massive Israelite presence on his borders, dispatches emissaries to Balaam, a celebrated Mesopotamian diviner from Pethor by the Euphrates. Balak requests Balaam to employ his formidable prophetic and cursing abilities against the Israelites, whom he vividly describes as an overwhelming multitude covering the land, a direct and imminent threat.

Numbers 22 5 Context

Numbers chapter 22 initiates a critical turning point as the Israelites, after forty years of wilderness wandering, reach the plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan, poised to enter the promised land. Their sheer numbers and recent victories over the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, instill profound fear in Balak, king of Moab. Balak, witnessing the vast Israelite encampment "covering the face of the earth," perceives them as an overwhelming and existential threat. Rather than engaging in direct military confrontation, Balak, understanding the regional belief in the efficacy of divine pronouncements and curses, seeks out the most renowned prophet/diviner, Balaam of Pethor. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic conflict not of physical armies but of spiritual authority, directly challenging the notion that any human or pagan deity can override the will and protective hand of the One True God.

Numbers 22 5 Word analysis

• "He" (Balak): Refers to Balak (בָּלָק), king of Moab (Num 22:4). His action signifies the direct initiative of Moabite fear and hostility.

• "sent" (שָׁלַח - shalach): Implies a deliberate and formal dispatch, indicating the seriousness and urgency of Balak's request. It's an active, purposeful act.

• "messengers" (מַלְאָכִים - mal'akhim): Human envoys, likely high-ranking officials given the significance of the mission and the distance to Balaam's home. The same word is used for "angels," highlighting the weight and consequence often attached to their communication.

• "therefore": Connects to Balak's deep fear and distress described in Num 22:3-4, explaining the reason for his extreme measure.

• "unto Balaam" (בִּלְעָם - Bil'am): The name itself might suggest "devourer" or "lord of the people," signifying his reputation and power in the ancient world. He is a recognized, sought-after figure of considerable spiritual influence.

• "the son of Beor": Identifies Balaam's lineage, providing context and acknowledging him by his ancestral name, a common practice in biblical narratives to denote individual identity and standing.

• "to Pethor" (פְּתוֹר - Pĕṯôr): Balaam's distant hometown, likely Pitru on the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia. The long journey demonstrates Balak's desperation and Balaam's widespread renown, reaching far beyond the immediate region of Moab.

• "which is by the river" (נָהָר - nahar): Specifically the Euphrates, confirming the location of Pethor. This detail highlights Balaam's foreign origin, making his supposed power even more attractive to Balak, suggesting a broader or different spiritual power than local diviners might possess.

• "of the land of the children of his people": Clarifies that Pethor is in Balaam's native land, among his own kinsmen or ethnic group. It's not a reference to Ammon here, but Balaam's personal lineage/origin, reinforcing his established roots and connection to a respected, if pagan, prophetic tradition.

• "to call him" (לִקְרֹא לוֹ - liqəro' lo): To formally summon or invite him. It's a respectful yet urgent plea, implying a service requested, often with remuneration.

• "saying": Introduces the urgent message from Balak, providing the explicit reason for the summoning.

• "Behold" (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): An interjection demanding immediate attention, underscoring the gravity and immediacy of Balak's perceived crisis. It serves to emphasize the following statement as a vital observation.

• "a people has come out from Egypt": Clearly identifies the Israelites by their origin and defining historical event—the Exodus. This is how the nations knew them, as God's mighty liberation.

• "behold, they cover the face of the earth": A hyperbole conveying the immense number and pervasive presence of the Israelites, a metaphor for an overwhelming force. Balak’s fear renders their population an insurmountable land-consuming entity.

• "and they abide over against me": Emphasizes their immediate proximity and fixed position directly opposite Moab. This portrays them not as passing migrants, but as an entrenched, unmovable, and immediate threat to Moabite security.

• "He sent messengers… to Pethor": Highlights Balak's determined effort and the considerable distance and resources expended to contact such a renowned and distant figure, signaling extreme desperation. This implies the king's willingness to go to great lengths for help.

• "Balaam the son of Beor… of the land of the children of his people": Establishes Balaam's identity, prestigious reputation, and geographical origin, confirming his recognized status as a diviner even in his distant Mesopotamian homeland, known even to Moab.

• "to call him, saying": Emphasizes the purpose of the embassy: to formally engage Balaam and communicate the specific, urgent request from Balak.

• "Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt": The Exodus event is central to identifying the Israelites. This phrase functions as a divine seal, indicating their miraculous past and their special relationship with their God, even for an adversary like Balak.

• "behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me": A double "behold" stresses Balak's vivid apprehension. It paints a picture of Israel's overwhelming size and unsettling closeness, articulating the full extent of the Moabite threat perception—a nation so numerous they eclipse the landscape and are now dangerously encamped directly on the border. This hyperbole underscores Balak's profound panic and his rationale for seeking outside supernatural intervention.

Numbers 22 5 Bonus section

The details in this verse regarding Pethor's location "by the river of the land of the children of his people" are crucial. Historical and archaeological scholarship identifies Pethor with Pitru, located on the west bank of the Euphrates, confirming Balaam's Mesopotamian origin. This geographical distance highlights not only Balaam's widespread reputation as a potent diviner, attracting the desperate attention of a Moabite king, but also accentuates the extreme measure Balak was willing to undertake. His journey, significant in both distance and cost, underscores his utter desperation and his belief in the potent efficacy of foreign prophetic powers. This serves to emphasize that even a widely sought and seemingly powerful diviner like Balaam is utterly subject to the sovereign will of the one true God, setting up a theological contrast fundamental to the entire narrative arc of Numbers 22-24.

Numbers 22 5 Commentary

Numbers 22:5 captures the precise moment Balak, driven by overwhelming fear of the populous Israelite nation, makes a pivotal strategic decision: to enlist supernatural help from the famous prophet-for-hire, Balaam. Balak's description of Israel—"a people come out from Egypt," "they cover the face of the earth," and "they abide over against me"—is replete with alarm, recognizing not just their vast numbers but also their powerful divine backing (implied by "from Egypt," recalling the Exodus) and their direct, unsettling proximity. This verse sets the stage for a spiritual contest between pagan sorcery and divine sovereignty, asserting God's unyielding plan for Israel even against the combined fears and machinations of their enemies. It foreshadows God's power to turn even intended curses into blessings.

• Divine Sovereignty: This verse demonstrates that when God's people are on His path, no human-initiated plot or spiritual attack, however renowned the instigator, can thwart His purpose. Balak feared Israel's might, but it was God's power backing them.
• Overcoming Fear: Balak acted out of immense fear. Believers are called not to fear external threats or overwhelming odds, but to trust in the Lord who fights for them.
• God's Protection: Even when adversaries scheme against believers, the narrative shows God’s faithfulness in guarding His own, turning intended harm into benefit.