King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Bil'am went with Balak. When they arrived at Kiryat-Hutzot,
Berean Standard Bible:
So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
American Standard Version:
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Balaam{H1109} went{H3212} with Balak{H1111}, and they came{H935} unto Kirjathhuzoth{H2351}{H7155}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 22:39
Numbers 22:39 is a verse set within the narrative of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and his interactions with Balak, the king of Moab. The broader context is that the Israelites, having fled Egypt and spent years in the wilderness, are now camped on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Balak, fearing the Israelites' numbers and their God's power, seeks to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites in hopes of weakening them.
In Numbers 22:39, we find Balaam and Balak arriving at Kirjath-huzoth, a place whose name means "city of streets." This detail suggests an established settlement, likely significant in size or importance. The verse itself is brief and does not convey the entirety of the story's themes, but it is part of a larger narrative that includes important biblical motifs such as divine sovereignty, the futility of opposing God's will, and the role of prophecy beyond the confines of Israel.
The historical context of this verse is the period of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt, which is traditionally dated to the late second millennium BCE. The story of Balaam is unique in that it presents a non-Israelite prophet who is portrayed as having a genuine relationship with the God of Israel, yet is also entangled in the political machinations of his time. The narrative serves to underscore God's protection over Israel and the ultimate inability of human efforts to thwart divine plans.
In summary, Numbers 22:39 is a small part of a complex narrative that highlights the tension between human agency and divine will. It reflects the historical moment when the Israelites stood on the brink of entering the land promised to them by God, and it illustrates the broader theme of God's commitment to His people, even in the face of opposition from powerful external forces. Balaam's journey to Kirjath-huzoth with Balak sets the stage for the famous episode involving Balaam's donkey and the prophet's subsequent blessings upon Israel, rather than the curses Balak sought.
*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: H1109
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּלְעָם
Transliteration: Bilʻâm
Pronunciation: bil-awm'
Description: probably from בַּל and עַם; not (of the) people, i.e. foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine; Balaam, Bileam. - 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: H1111
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּלָק
Transliteration: Bâlâq
Pronunciation: baw-lawk'
Description: from בָּלַק; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king; Balak. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H2351
There are 159 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוּץ
Transliteration: chûwts
Pronunciation: khoots
Description: or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. - Strong's Number: H7155
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קִרְיַת חֻצוֹת
Transliteration: Qiryath Chutsôwth
Pronunciation: keer-yath' khoo-tsoth'
Description: from קִרְיָה and the feminine plural of חוּץ; city of streets; Kirjath-Chutsoth, a place in Moab; Kirjath-huzoth.