Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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.’” New Living Translation ‘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.’” English Standard Version ‘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.’” Berean Standard Bible ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” Berean Literal Bible ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and have covered the eye of the land. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to overpower them and drive them out.’” King James Bible 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. New King James Version ‘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.’ ” New American Standard Bible ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” NASB 1995 ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” NASB 1977 ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them, and drive them out.’” Legacy Standard Bible ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” Amplified Bible ‘Hear this, the people who came out of Egypt cover the surface of the land; come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” Berean Annotated Bible ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt (land of bondage), and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away. Christian Standard Bible ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” American Standard Version Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out. Contemporary English Version to ask me to go to Moab and put a curse on the people who have come there from Egypt. They have settled everywhere around him, and he wants to run them off." English Revised Version Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out. GOD'S WORD® Translation 'Some people have just come from Egypt and are spreading out all over the countryside. Now come and curse them for me. Maybe I'll be able to fight them and force them out.'" Good News Translation that a people who came from Egypt has spread out over the whole land. He wants me to curse them for him, so that he can fight them and drive them out." International Standard Version Look! A group of people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth! So come right now and curse them for me. Perhaps I'll be able to fight against them and drive them out.'" NET Bible "Look, a nation has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Come now and put a curse on them for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out." New Heart English Bible 'Look, this people has come out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.'" Webster's Bible Translation Behold, there has a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse them for me: it may be I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” World English Bible ‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covers the eye of the land—now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it and have cast it out”; Berean Literal Bible ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and have covered the eye of the land. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to overpower them and drive them out.’” Young's Literal Translation Lo, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covereth the eye of the land, -- now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it, and have cast it out;' Smith's Literal Translation Behold, the people came forth out of Egypt, and it will cover the eye of the earth: now come curse him to me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against him and I drove him out. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSaying: Behold a people that is come out of Egypt, hath covered the face of the land: come and curse them, if by any means I may fight with them and drive them away. Catholic Public Domain Version saying: ‘Behold, a people, which has gone forth from Egypt, has covered the face of the earth. Come and curse them, so that, in some way, I may be able to fight them and drive them away.’ ” New American Bible ‘This people that has come out of Egypt has covered up the earth. Now come, lay a curse on them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight them and drive them out.’ ” New Revised Standard Version ‘A people has come out of Egypt and has spread over the face of the earth; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, there is a people come out of Egypt who cover the face of the earth; come now, and curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and destroy them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated ‘Behold a people went out from Egypt and cover the face of the land; now come curse it for me; doubtless I am able to fight with it and I shall destroy it.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth; now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, a people has come forth out of Egypt, and has covered the face of the land, and it has encamped near to me; and now come, curse it for me, if indeed I shall be able to smite it, and cast it out of the land. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Balak Summons Balaam…10And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” 12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”… Cross References “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” Exodus 12:41 At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 4:37 Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power, Joshua 24:5 Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and afterward I brought you out. and they cover the face of the land. Exodus 1:7 but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. Exodus 10:5 They will cover the face of the land so that no one can see it. They will devour whatever is left after the hail and eat every tree that grows in your fields. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Numbers 23:8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? Numbers 23:20 I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. Deuteronomy 23:5 Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” Exodus 1:10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” Joshua 23:5 The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you. Deuteronomy 9:4 When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. Deuteronomy 23:4-5 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. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Joshua 24:9-10 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, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand. Nehemiah 13:2 because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). 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.’” Treasury of Scripture Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covers the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. able to overcome them. Jump to Previous Able Cast Cover Covereth Covering Covers Curse Drive Driving Earth Egypt Eye Overcome Peradventure Perhaps Pierce Surface WarJump to Next Able Cast Cover Covereth Covering Covers Curse Drive Driving Earth Egypt Eye Overcome Peradventure Perhaps Pierce Surface WarNumbers 22 1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused15. His second message obtains him 22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey 36. Balak entertains him Behold, a people has come out of Egypt This phrase refers to the Israelites, who had been delivered from slavery in Egypt by God's mighty hand. The Exodus is a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness. The mention of Egypt highlights the miraculous nature of their deliverance and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a central narrative in the Pentateuch, illustrating themes of redemption and covenant. and they cover the face of the land Now come and put a curse on them for me Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away Persons / Places / Events 1. BalakThe king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam. 2. Balaam A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is summoned by Balak to curse the Israelites. 3. Israelites The people of God who have come out of Egypt and are journeying to the Promised Land. 4. Moab The region ruled by Balak, which is threatened by the presence of the Israelites. 5. Egypt The land from which the Israelites have been delivered, symbolizing their liberation and God's faithfulness. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProtectionDespite human intentions to harm, God protects His people and can turn curses into blessings. The Power of Words and Intentions Words have power, but God's will prevails. We must align our intentions with God's purposes. Faithfulness in the Face of Opposition Like the Israelites, believers may face opposition, but they can trust in God's deliverance and faithfulness. The Danger of Greed and Compromise Balaam's account warns against compromising faith for material gain or personal advantage. The Importance of Obedience to God Obedience to God is crucial, even when faced with external pressures or temptations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 22:11?2. How does Numbers 22:11 illustrate the importance of obeying God's commands today? 3. What can we learn from Balaam's response to God's instructions in Numbers 22:11? 4. How does Numbers 22:11 connect to the theme of divine authority in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we discern God's will in challenging situations like Balaam's? 6. How can we apply Balaam's experience to resist worldly pressures against God's will? 7. Why did Balak fear the Israelites and seek Balaam's help in Numbers 22:11? 8. How does Numbers 22:11 reflect God's control over nations and leaders? 9. What does Balaam's role in Numbers 22:11 reveal about prophecy and divine will? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 22? 11. What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus? 12. Who were the believers in the Old Testament? 13. What is the essence of the Blessing of Abraham? 14. What foods are mentioned in the Bible? What Does Numbers 22:11 Mean Behold, a people has come out of Egypt• Balak’s words admit the historic Exodus, a miraculous deliverance God accomplished exactly as recorded (Exodus 12:40-42, Deuteronomy 26:8). • Israel’s identity is rooted in this salvation event; God calls them “My people” (Exodus 3:7). • Their presence reminds surrounding nations that the LORD keeps His promises (Joshua 24:17; Psalm 105:43-45). and they cover the face of the land • The phrase paints a picture of an innumerable host, fulfilling God’s promise to make Abraham’s descendants “like the dust of the earth” (Genesis 13:16). • Estimates from Exodus 12:37 hint at more than two million people; no wonder Moab feels overwhelmed (Numbers 22:3-4). • God’s faithfulness turns a once-enslaved people into a nation able to unsettle kingdoms (Deuteronomy 2:25). Now come and put a curse on them for me • Balak seeks supernatural leverage, acknowledging that battles are ultimately spiritual (Ephesians 6:12 shows this principle). • Yet Numbers 22:12, 31: “You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” God’s blessing is irreversible (Romans 11:29; Genesis 12:3). • Later Scripture recounts how God turned Balak’s request into blessing (Deuteronomy 23:4-5; Nehemiah 13:2), underscoring His sovereign control over words spoken against His people (Proverbs 26:2). Perhaps I may be able to fight against them • Balak confesses uncertainty; without a curse he doubts victory. Contrast this with Israel’s confidence resting in God’s promise (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). • Human schemes admit defeat before they begin when they ignore the Almighty (Psalm 33:10-11). • The episode forecasts the ongoing clash between faith in God and reliance on human manipulation (2 Chronicles 20:12). and drive them away • Balak’s goal is expulsion, not coexistence—an echo of Pharaoh’s earlier oppression now reversed (Exodus 1:10 vs. Exodus 14:30-31). • God had already assured Israel of safe passage and eventual possession of Canaan (Exodus 23:27-30; Deuteronomy 7:1-2). • In Numbers 24:9 Balaam will proclaim, “Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you”, sealing Balak’s failure. summary Numbers 22:11 records a pagan king’s fearful appeal for supernatural help against God’s covenant people. Balak recognizes Israel’s Exodus, their vast numbers, and the spiritual dimension of conflict, yet he underestimates the irreversible blessing God placed on them. The verse sets the stage for the Balaam narrative, reminding us that no curse can overturn what the LORD has decreed, and His faithfulness turns enemy schemes into occasions for further blessing. (11) A people come out of Egypt . . . --Better, the people which came out from Egypt, it covereth . . .Hebrew ‘Behold,הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! a people הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock has come out הַיֹּצֵ֣א (hay·yō·ṣê) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim of Egypt, מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם (mim·miṣ·ra·yim) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa and they cover וַיְכַ֖ס (way·ḵas) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover the face עֵ֣ין (‘ên) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain of the land. הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Now עַתָּ֗ה (‘at·tāh) Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time come לְכָ֤ה (lə·ḵāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and put a curse קָֽבָה־ (qā·ḇāh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 6895: To scoop out, to malign, execrate on them אֹת֔וֹ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case for me. לִּי֙ (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew Perhaps I may אוּלַ֥י (’ū·lay) Adverb Strong's 194: Perhaps be able אוּכַ֛ל (’ū·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 3201: To be able, have power to fight לְהִלָּ֥חֶם (lə·hil·lā·ḥem) Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle against them בּ֖וֹ (bōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew and drive them away.’” וְגֵרַשְׁתִּֽיו׃ (wə·ḡê·raš·tîw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 1644: To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce Links Numbers 22:11 NIVNumbers 22:11 NLT Numbers 22:11 ESV Numbers 22:11 NASB Numbers 22:11 KJV Numbers 22:11 BibleApps.com Numbers 22:11 Biblia Paralela Numbers 22:11 Chinese Bible Numbers 22:11 French Bible Numbers 22:11 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 22:11 Behold the people that is come out (Nu Num.) |
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