Numbers 22:2-6 ▼

2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3 And the Moabites were in great fear of the people because they were many; and Moab was distressed at the presence of the children of Israel.

4 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now this multitude is licking up all that are around about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

5 So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, an interpreter of dreams, who dwelt by the river of the land of the children of Ammon, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; they cover the face of the land, and they are settled over against me.

6 Come now therefore and curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me; perhaps I shall be able to defeat some of them and destroy them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed and he whom you curse is cursed.