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 encapsulates the profound fear and strategic desperation of Balak, the king of Moab, as he confronts the formidable presence of the Israelite nation. Having recently emerged from Egypt, Israel's vast numbers and pervasive encampment are perceived by Balak as an overwhelming, land-covering force, posing an existential threat to his kingdom. In response, Balak urgently appeals to Balaam, a renowned diviner, to supernaturally curse the Israelites. His fervent hope is that through such a potent spiritual assault, he might weaken them sufficiently to gain a military advantage, overcome their might, and ultimately expel them from his territory, thereby safeguarding Moab's sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the explicit articulation of Balak's fear and his strategic intent, serving as the catalyst for the dramatic and pivotal narrative of [Balak and Balaam in Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22-24 - The Balak and Balaam Narrative"). Immediately preceding this, [Numbers 22:1-10](/numbers/22-1-10 "Numbers 22:1-10 - Balak Summons Balaam") details Balak's initial panic upon seeing Israel's encampment in the plains of Moab and his subsequent dispatch of messengers to summon Balaam. The preceding [chapter, Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Israel's Victories Over Sihon and Og") recounts Israel's decisive victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, events that undoubtedly intensified Balak's terror and convinced him of Israel's formidable power. Balak's words in this verse set the stage for the unfolding divine drama, where God's sovereign will to bless Israel will repeatedly override Balak's and Balaam's intentions to curse them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this narrative is the plains of Moab, situated east of the Jordan River, during the period of Israel's wilderness wanderings, likely in the late 15th or early 13th century BC. Balak, as the reigning king of Moab, represents a local power acutely aware of the geopolitical shifts and military threats posed by the advancing Israelite multitude. In the ancient Near East, it was a widespread cultural practice for kings and nations to employ diviners, seers, or professional cursers to invoke spiritual power—either blessings upon allies or curses upon enemies—believing that such pronouncements held tangible influence over military outcomes and national destinies. Balaam, hailing from Pethor near the Euphrates, was evidently a highly respected and sought-after figure in this regard, known for the efficacy of his words. Balak's desperate plea to Balaam in [Numbers 22:11](/numbers/22-11 "Numbers 22:11 - Balak's Plea to Balaam") vividly illustrates this cultural reliance on supernatural intervention, highlighting his preference for spiritual warfare over direct military confrontation, especially given Israel's demonstrated prowess and overwhelming numbers.
* **Key Themes:** Balak's desperate plea in [Numbers 22:11](/numbers/22-11 "Numbers 22:11 - Balak's Plea to Balaam") is rich with themes central to the book of Numbers and broader biblical theology. A prominent theme is **Fear and Desperation**, as Balak's terror at the sight of the vast Israelite multitude drives him to seek extraordinary, supernatural means of defense. This fear is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern **Belief in Curses and Blessings**, where powerful words were thought to directly influence reality. Crucially, the narrative immediately sets up the overarching theme of **God's Unwavering Protection and Sovereignty over Israel**. Despite Balak's schemes and Balaam's initial intentions, God ultimately turns the attempted curses into blessings, as Balaam himself is compelled to declare in [Numbers 23:11-12](/numbers/23-11-12 "Numbers 23:11-12 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel") and as later affirmed in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"). The verse also underscores **Israel's Numerical Growth and Perceived Strength**, hyperbolically described as "covereth the face of the earth," a testament 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
* **People (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This word refers to a collective unit, a congregated group, often specifically a tribe or nation. In this context, Balak uses it to refer to the Israelites, emphasizing their corporate identity as a distinct and unified entity. His perception of them as "a people" highlights not just their individual numbers but their collective power and cohesion, which he views as a formidable threat.
* **Covereth (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** From the root meaning "to plump" or "to fill up hollows," this verb here signifies "to cover" or "to overwhelm." In the phrase "covereth the face of the earth" (literally, "covered the eye of the land"), it conveys a powerful visual image of the Israelites' immense numbers. Balak uses this hyperbole to express that the sheer multitude of Israelites is so vast and widespread that they obscure the very landscape, leaving no visible ground, thereby emphasizing his profound sense of being overwhelmed and threatened by their pervasive presence.
* **Curse (Hebrew, _qâbab'_):** This primitive root means "to scoop out" or, figuratively, "to malign or execrate." It implies a strong, binding pronouncement of ill will, often intended to invoke divine judgment or misfortune upon someone. Balak's request for Balaam to "curse me them" reveals his deep-seated belief in the efficacy of such a malediction, hoping it would weaken Israel, strip them of their divine favor, and render them vulnerable to defeat. This stands in stark contrast to God's unchangeable blessing upon Israel.
* **Drive them out (Hebrew, _gârash'_):** This primitive root means "to drive out from a possession," often implying expatriation or expulsion. Balak's ultimate goal is to "drive them out" of his territory, signifying a complete removal of the Israelite threat from his land. This word underscores the existential nature of Balak's fear, as he seeks not merely to defeat Israel in battle but to utterly expel them from his vicinity, securing Moab's borders and sovereignty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, [there is] a people come out of Egypt,"**: Balak immediately draws Balaam's attention to the specific identity and formidable origin of the perceived threat. "A people" refers to the Israelites, emphasizing their corporate identity as a distinct nation. Their origin "out of Egypt" is a crucial detail, linking them to the powerful narrative of the Exodus, an event that had undoubtedly become known throughout the region, hinting at the powerful deity who had delivered them and continued to accompany them.
* **"which covereth the face of the earth:"**: This is Balak's hyperbolic and vivid description of Israel's immense size and pervasive presence. It conveys not just their overwhelming numbers but their visual impact on the landscape, suggesting an unstoppable, all-consuming force. This imagery underscores Balak's desperate fear and his perception of the 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 to influence spiritual realities.
* **"peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out."**: Balak clearly states his strategic objective and the desired outcome of the curse. He hopes that the spiritual malediction 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 complete removal of the perceived existential threat to Moab's security and sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey Balak's profound fear and the perceived overwhelming threat of Israel. **Hyperbole** is prominently featured in the phrase "which covereth the face of the earth," a vivid exaggeration of Israel's numbers that powerfully communicates Balak's overwhelming sense of dread and the sheer scale of the perceived invasion. This exaggeration serves to emphasize the psychological impact of Israel's presence. There is also a strong element of **Irony** and **Foreshadowing** in Balak's plea. While he desperately seeks a curse to neutralize Israel, the subsequent narrative dramatically reveals that God will not only prevent Balaam from cursing His people but will compel him to utter blessings instead, rendering Balak's efforts utterly futile. This foreshadows God's unshakeable covenant faithfulness and His ultimate control over all human and spiritual machinations. Furthermore, the verse immediately establishes a central **Conflict** between human will (Balak's desire to curse and expel Israel) and divine will (God's unwavering plan to bless and protect His covenant people), a conflict that will be fully explored and resolved in the ensuing chapters of the Balaam narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:11, though spoken from the perspective of an enemy king, 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 his 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 and opposition.

* [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, Understanding, or Counsel Against the LORD") - "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:11 offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that even when confronted by seemingly 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, worldly solutions, or even spiritual shortcuts 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. This narrative invites us to cultivate a deep peace, knowing that God is actively working on behalf of His people, even when we are unaware of the spiritual battles being waged on our behalf.

#### 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 and divine strategy?**
* **In what ways does this narrative encourage me to rest in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire or beyond my control?**
* **How does understanding God's ultimate control over Balaam's words and the outcome of the narrative impact my perspective on spiritual warfare or the perceived 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 military victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, whose territories bordered Moab to the north. 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 that Israel "covereth the face of the earth" indicates a deep-seated fear of a land-consuming, existential threat rather than just a conventional military one. This acute fear led him to seek a supernatural solution through Balaam, believing that a curse could weaken them more effectively than direct 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 - The Balak and Balaam Narrative") 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 ultimately a tool in God's hands, used to declare God's unchangeable purpose to bless Israel, even against his own desires for gain and Balak's desperate pleas.

### 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 intended 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 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose sacrifice on the cross transformed the curse of sin into the blessing of salvation and eternal life ([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, for if God is for us, who can be against us ([Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31-39 "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, having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ([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.