Numbers 22:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:11 captures the desperate and fearful plea of Balak, king of Moab, to the renowned diviner Balaam. Overwhelmed by the sheer numerical strength and pervasive presence of the Israelite nation, whom he perceives as a monstrous, land-covering force recently emerged from Egypt, Balak implores Balaam to supernaturally curse them. His hope is that through such a potent spiritual assault, he might gain the upper hand, overcome their military might, and ultimately drive them out of his territory, thus averting an existential threat to Moab.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the pivotal narrative of Balak and Balaam, spanning [Numbers chapters 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22-24 - Balak and Balaam"). It immediately follows Balak's initial panicked reaction to Israel's encampment in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, and his subsequent dispatch of messengers to summon Balaam. The preceding [chapter 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Israel's Victories") details Israel's decisive victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, which undoubtedly fueled Balak's terror. His words in [Numbers 22:11](/numbers/22-11 "Numbers 22:11 - Balak's Plea to Balaam") serve as the explicit articulation of his fear and his strategic objective for Balaam's intervention, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontations and divine pronouncements that follow. The narrative pivots on Balaam's struggle between Balak's inducements and God's sovereign command, ultimately revealing God's unshakeable commitment to Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, around the late 15th or early 13th century BC, as Israel concludes its wilderness wanderings and prepares to enter Canaan. Balak, as king of Moab, represents a local power acutely aware of the geopolitical shifts caused by Israel's advance. In the ancient Near East, it was common for kings and nations to employ diviners or seers to invoke blessings upon their allies or curses upon their enemies, believing that such pronouncements held real spiritual power to influence military outcomes and national destinies. Balaam, from Pethor near the Euphrates, was evidently a widely recognized and respected figure in this regard, known for the efficacy of his words. Balak's desperate plea reflects this cultural belief, highlighting his reliance on supernatural means rather than direct military confrontation, given Israel's demonstrated prowess and overwhelming numbers.

* **Key Themes:** Balak's words in [Numbers 22:11](/numbers/22-11 "Numbers 22:11 - Balak's Plea to Balaam") are rich with themes central to the book of Numbers and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Fear and Desperation**, vividly portraying Balak's terror at the sight of the vast Israelite multitude, which he perceives as an existential threat. This fear drives him to seek supernatural intervention, underscoring the ancient Near Eastern **Belief in Curses and Blessings** and the perceived power of diviners. Crucially, underlying Balak's futile attempts is the overarching theme of **God's Unwavering Protection and Sovereignty over Israel**. Despite Balak's schemes, God ultimately turns the intended curses into blessings, as prophesied by Balaam himself in [Numbers 23:11-12](/numbers/23-11 "Numbers 23:11-12 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel") and later affirmed in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"). The verse also highlights **Israel's Perceived Strength and Numerical Growth**, symbolized by the hyperbolic phrase "covereth the face of the earth," testifying to God's faithfulness in multiplying His covenant people since their [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - Israel's Growth in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covereth (כִּסָּה, _kissah_):** This verb, meaning "to cover," is used here in a hyperbolic sense within the phrase "covereth the face of the earth" (כִּסָּה אֶת־עֵין הָאָרֶץ, _kissah et-ein ha'aretz_). The idiom literally means "covered the eye of the land," powerfully conveying the overwhelming visual impression of Israel's vast numbers. It suggests that the Israelites were so numerous and widespread that they obscured the very landscape, leaving no visible ground. This imagery emphasizes Balak's profound sense of being overwhelmed and threatened by their sheer presence.
* **Curse (אָרַר, _'arar_):** This verb signifies a strong, binding pronouncement of ill will, often invoking divine judgment or misfortune upon someone or something. In the ancient world, a curse was believed to have inherent power to affect reality, especially when spoken by someone with perceived spiritual authority like Balaam. Balak's request for Balaam to "curse me them" reveals his conviction that a divinely sanctioned malediction could weaken Israel, strip them of their power, and render them vulnerable to defeat. This stands in stark contrast to God's blessing upon Israel, which cannot be undone.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, [there is] a people come out of Egypt,"**: Balak begins by drawing Balaam's attention to the specific identity and origin of the perceived threat. "A people" (עַם, _'am_) refers to Israel, emphasizing their corporate identity as a distinct nation. Their origin "out of Egypt" immediately links them to the powerful narrative of the Exodus, a divine act of liberation that had undoubtedly become known throughout the region, hinting at the powerful deity who accompanied them.
* **"which covereth the face of the earth:"**: This is Balak's hyperbolic description of Israel's immense size and pervasive presence. It conveys not just their numbers but their overwhelming impact on the landscape, suggesting an unstoppable, all-consuming force. This vivid imagery underscores Balak's desperate fear and the perceived impossibility of defeating them by conventional means.
* **"come now, curse me them;"**: This is Balak's direct, urgent command and plea to Balaam. He seeks a supernatural solution, believing that Balaam's divinely connected words can inflict harm upon Israel. The imperative "curse me them" highlights his conviction in the efficacy of such a pronouncement and his reliance on Balaam's unique abilities.
* **"peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out."**: Balak states his strategic objective. He hopes that the curse will weaken Israel sufficiently ("overcome them") to allow his forces to defeat them militarily and expel them from his territory ("drive them out"). This reveals his ultimate goal: the removal of the perceived threat to Moab's security and sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Balak's desperation and the perceived threat of Israel. **Hyperbole** is prominently featured in the phrase "which covereth the face of the earth," vividly exaggerating Israel's numbers to emphasize Balak's overwhelming fear and the sheer scale of the perceived invasion. This exaggeration highlights the psychological impact of Israel's presence. There is also an element of **Irony** and **Foreshadowing** in Balak's plea. While he seeks a curse to overcome Israel, the subsequent narrative reveals that God will turn Balaam's intended curses into blessings, rendering Balak's efforts utterly futile. This foreshadows God's unshakeable covenant faithfulness and His ultimate control over all human and spiritual machinations. The verse also sets up a dramatic **Conflict** between human will (Balak's desire to curse) and divine will (God's plan to bless and protect Israel), which will be fully explored in the ensuing chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:11, though spoken by an enemy, profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people and His sovereign control over all circumstances. Balak's fear and desperate attempt to manipulate spiritual forces against Israel ultimately highlight the futility of human schemes when they oppose divine purposes. This narrative serves as a powerful testament to the fact that no human power, no matter how great or supernaturally aided, can thwart God's will for His chosen ones. Israel's vast numbers, which so terrified Balak, were a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants, demonstrating God's power to bring His promises to fruition despite all obstacles.

* [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse God's Blessed People") - "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?"
* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned Balaam's Curse into a Blessing") - "Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee."
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the LORD") - "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:11 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that even when confronted by overwhelming opposition or perceived threats, our ultimate trust must rest in God's sovereign protection and unshakeable faithfulness. Just as Balak's fear led him to desperate, superstitious measures against a people divinely protected, so too can we be tempted to rely on human strategies or worldly solutions when faced with daunting challenges. This passage encourages us to recognize that God's purposes for His people cannot be thwarted by any earthly power or spiritual malevolence. It calls us to cultivate a deep confidence in God's ability to turn even intended curses into blessings, affirming that His love and covenant promises are steadfast. We are reminded that our security is not in our own strength or cunning, but in the mighty hand of the One who "covers" us with His protection, far more effectively than any enemy can "cover the face of the earth" with their threats.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "overwhelming forces" or "people covering the face of the earth" do I perceive as threats in my life or in the world today?**
* **How might I be tempted to seek "curses" or human solutions instead of trusting in God's sovereign protection?**
* **In what ways does this narrative encourage me to rest in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire?**
* **How does understanding God's control over Balaam's words impact my perspective on spiritual warfare or the power of evil?**

### FAQ
**Why was Balak so afraid of Israel, given that they had not attacked Moab?**

Answer: Balak's fear stemmed primarily from Israel's sheer numerical strength and their recent, decisive victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, whose territories bordered Moab. While Israel had not directly attacked Moab, their vast encampment in the plains of Moab, coupled with their reputation as a people led by a powerful God who had brought them out of Egypt, presented an overwhelming and unpredictable threat. Balak likely feared that their immense numbers would consume his land and resources, or that they would eventually turn their military might against Moab. His perception was that Israel "covereth the face of the earth," indicating a land-consuming, existential threat rather than just a military one. This fear led him to seek a supernatural solution through Balaam, believing that a curse could weaken them more effectively than military engagement.

**Did Balaam truly have the power to curse or bless, or was he merely a tool in God's hands?**

Answer: The narrative in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22-24 - Balak and Balaam") strongly suggests that while Balaam was recognized as a diviner with a reputation for effective pronouncements, his power was entirely subordinate to God's will. He repeatedly states that he can only speak what the Lord puts in his mouth ([Numbers 22:18](/numbers/22-18 "Numbers 22:18 - Balaam's Obedience to God"), [Numbers 23:12](/numbers/23-12 "Numbers 23:12 - Balaam Can Only Speak God's Words")). Despite Balak's persistent efforts and inducements, Balaam is supernaturally constrained from cursing Israel and is compelled to utter blessings and prophecies of their future greatness. This demonstrates that God's sovereignty overrides any perceived power of human diviners or curses. Balaam was a tool in God's hands, used to declare God's unchangeable purpose to bless Israel, even against his own desires for gain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 22:11, with Balak's desperate attempt to curse Israel, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate futility of all attempts to thwart God's redemptive plan, a plan that culminates in Jesus Christ. Just as Balak sought to neutralize the "people come out of Egypt," so too did the powers of darkness and human sin conspire against the true Israel, the Church, and ultimately against Christ Himself. Yet, the story of Balaam's inability to curse Israel, and God's turning of those curses into blessings, points directly to the invincible blessing found in Jesus. He is the ultimate "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) whose sacrifice on the cross transformed the curse of sin into the blessing of salvation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through Him, believers are eternally blessed and beyond the reach of any curse or spiritual attack ([Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31-39 - God Is For Us")). Christ is the true King who overcomes all enemies, not by cursing, but by His victorious love and power, establishing a kingdom that "covers the face of the earth" not with fear, but with the knowledge of God's glory ([Habakkuk 2:14](/habakkuk/2-14 "Habakkuk 2:14 - Knowledge of God's Glory Covers the Earth")). He is the one whose blessing cannot be reversed, securing the eternal inheritance for all who are in Him ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.