Numbers 22:1-23 ▼

1 Then the Israelites (God prevails) traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab (of his father) near the Jordan (flowing down), across from Jericho (city of palms).

2 Now Balak (devastator) son of Zippor (sparrow) saw all that Israel (he wrestles with God) had done to the Amorites (sayers),

3 and Moab (of his father) was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites (God prevails).

4 So the Moabites (of his father) said to the elders of Midian (strife), “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak (devastator) son of Zippor (sparrow) was king of Moab at that time,

5 he sent messengers to summon Balaam (not of the people) son of Beor (burning) at Pethor (soothsayer), which is by the Euphrates \the River/ in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt (land of bondage),” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

6 So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”

7 The elders of Moab (of his father) and Midian (strife) departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam (not of the people) and relayed to him the words of Balak (devastator).

8 “Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you⁺ the answer that the LORD {YHWH} speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab (of his father) stayed with Balaam (not of the people).

9 Then God {Elohim} came to Balaam (not of the people) and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

10 And Balaam (not of the people) said to God {Elohim}, “Balak (devastator) son of Zippor (sparrow), king of Moab (of his father), sent me this message:

11 ‘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.’”

12 But God {Elohim} said to Balaam (not of the people), “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

13 So Balaam (not of the people) got up the next morning and said to Balak’s (devastator) princes, “Go back to your⁺ homeland, because the LORD {YHWH} has refused to let me go with you⁺.”

14 And the princes of Moab (of his father) arose, returned to Balak (devastator), and said, “Balaam (not of the people) refused to come with us.”

15 Then Balak (devastator) sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.

16 They came to Balaam (not of the people) and said, “This is what Balak (devastator) son of Zippor (sparrow) says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,

17 for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”

18 But Balaam (not of the people) replied to the servants of Balak (devastator), “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God {YHWH Elohay}.

19 So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD {YHWH} has to tell me.”

20 That night God {Elohim} came to Balaam (not of the people) and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

21 So in the morning Balaam (not of the people) got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab (of his father).

22 Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel (Angel) of the LORD {YHWH} stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD {YHWH} standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam (not of the people) beat her to return her to the path.