King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
'The people who came out of Egypt have spread over the land; now, come and curse them for me; maybe I will 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.’”
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Behold, there is a people{H5971} come out{H3318} of Egypt{H4714}, which covereth{H3680} the face{H5869} of the earth{H776}: come{H3212} now, curse{H6895} me them; peradventure I shall be able{H3201} to overcome{H3898} them, and drive them out{H1644}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 22:11
Numbers 22:11 is part of the narrative concerning Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and his interactions with Balak, the king of Moab. The verse is set during the time when the Israelites were journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The historical context is significant because it reflects the fear and anxiety that the surrounding nations felt towards the Israelites, who were seen as a formidable force under the protection of their God.
In this verse, Balak expresses his concern to Balaam about the Israelites, who have emerged as a numerous and powerful people. The phrase "which covereth the face of the earth" conveys the overwhelming presence of the Israelites in the region. Balak's request for Balaam to curse the Israelites stems from a belief common in the ancient Near East that a prophet or seer could manipulate divine forces through words, thereby affecting the fate of individuals or nations.
The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty of God over nations, the pagan practices of divination and cursing, and the contrast between the power of human schemes and the divine will. Balak's plea to Balaam highlights the human desire to control outcomes and the tendency to resort to supernatural means to achieve one's goals. However, the broader narrative of Balaam in Numbers chapters 22-24 ultimately reveals God's power to turn curses into blessings and demonstrates that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human manipulation or pagan rituals. This story serves as a lesson in the futility of opposing God's will and the ultimate triumph of His purposes for His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. - Strong's Number: H3680
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּסָה
Transliteration: kâçâh
Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H6895
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָבַב
Transliteration: qâbab
Pronunciation: kaw-bab'
Description: a primitive root; to scoop out, i.e. (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e. stab with words); [idiom] at all, curse. - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. - Strong's Number: H3898
There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָחַם
Transliteration: lâcham
Pronunciation: law-kham'
Description: a primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction); devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). - Strong's Number: H1644
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּרַשׁ
Transliteration: gârash
Pronunciation: gaw-rash'
Description: a primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce; cast up (out), divorced (woman), drive away (forth, out), expel, [idiom] surely put away, trouble, thrust out.