Numbers 22:5

Translations

Modern

…he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

Traditional

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:

Literal

And he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come from Egypt. Behold, he has covered the eye of the land, and he is dwelling next to me.”

Latin

Misit ergo nuntios ad Balaam filium Beor ariolum, qui habitabat super flumen terræ filiorum Ammon, ut vocarent eum, et dicerent: Ecce egressus est populus ex Ægypto, qui operuit superficiem terræ, sedens contra me.

Original

Hebrew

English

…he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

Notes

Numbers 22:5–6

Balaam was a pagan religious specialist called a diviner. A diviner was someone who claimed to receive messages from the spiritual world and predict the future. Balaam came from northwest Mesopotamia (see “Balaam” Profile).
Like many ancient peoples, the nations of Moab and Midian believed that spoken words had power. They believed that a blessing or a curse spoken by a skilled diviner could shape future events. Diviners claimed they had special power to discover and influence what would happen next (see Deuteronomy 18:14; 1 Samuel 6:2; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 44:25; Daniel 2:1–12, 27–28; Micah 5:12; Zechariah 10:2).
Israel’s enemies asked Balaam to place curses on the Hebrews. They believed that his spoken words would harm them. In the ancient world, armies often spoke curses against their enemies before battle.
People in ancient Israel also believed that spoken words could have real effect, even when they were not part of divination (for example, Genesis 27:1–40; Deuteronomy 27:15–26; 1 Samuel 14:24–28; compare Matthew 21:18–22).
Pethor is probably the ancient city of Pitru (Numbers 22:5). It was located on the west side of the Euphrates River, south of Carchemish, about 640 kilometers (400 miles) from Moab.

Numbers 22:2–24:25

The story of Balak and Balaam marks an important turning point in Israel’s history. It includes humor, drama, and deep teaching about God.

The story makes one main point clear. The Lord’s will must be carried out. No one could stop his plan for Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Moab and Ammon

Related verses

Deuteronomy 23:4
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.
Micah 6:5
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
Joshua 24:9
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Numbers 23:7
And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
Joshua 13:22
The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.
Exodus 1:7–10
…but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.
Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
Nehemiah 13:1–2
At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
Psalm 105:24
And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,
2 Peter 2:15–16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

People

Balaam: A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead Beor: Father of Balaam

Places

Amaw: A place near the Euphrates River, associated with Balaam Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land Pethor: The hometown of Balaam in Mesopotamia

Glossary

Amaw Ammon, Ammonites Balaam Balak Bela (Person) Beor Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of Euphrates River False Prophets Jannes and Jambres Midian, Midianite Moab, Moabites Moses Numbers, Book of Pethor Prophets, False Shittim (Place) Zippor

Topics

Balaam: Balak Sends For, to Curse Israel Balak: Tries to Bribe Balaam to Curse Israel Beor: Father of Balaam Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Balak Sends for Balaam Midianites with the Moabites: Sent for Balaam to Curse Israel Pethor: Home of the Prophet Balaam

Numbers 22:5

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