Numbers 22:36

ยถ And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which [is] in the border of Arnon, which [is] in the utmost coast.

And when Balak {H1111} heard {H8085} that Balaam {H1109} was come {H935}, he went out {H3318} to meet {H7125} him unto a city {H5892} of Moab {H4124}, which is in the border {H1366} of Arnon {H769}, which is in the utmost {H7097} coast {H1366}.

When Balak heard that Bil'am had come, he went out to meet him in the city of Mo'av at the Arnon border, in the farthest reaches of the territory.

When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory.

And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.

Commentary

Numbers 22:36 describes the highly anticipated meeting between Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, the Mesopotamian diviner, as Balaam arrived in Moabite territory. This verse sets the stage for one of the most intriguing prophetic narratives in the Old Testament.

Context of Numbers 22:36

After the Israelites had defeated the Amorites and were encamped in the plains of Moab, King Balak became deeply distressed by their immense numbers and recent victories. Fearing that Israel would overwhelm his kingdom, he decided to employ supernatural means to stop them. He sent messengers to Balaam, a respected prophet or diviner from Pethor, to ask him to come and curse the Israelites. This verse highlights Balak's intense urgency and desperation, as he personally went out to meet Balaam at the very edge of his territory. The location, "a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon," emphasizes that Balak intercepted Balaam as soon as he crossed into Moabite lands, demonstrating the king's profound anxiety and the critical nature of his mission.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Desperation and Fear: Balak's willingness to travel to the border to meet Balaam underscores his extreme fear of the Israelites and his belief that only a powerful curse could protect his kingdom. This fear drives his persistent attempts to manipulate divine power.
  • The King's Initiative: This encounter is a direct result of a powerful king seeking to use a prophet for political and military advantage, illustrating a common practice in the ancient Near East where kings sought divine favor or curses against their enemies.
  • Setting the Stage for Divine Intervention: While this verse describes a human arrangement, it immediately precedes the divine interventions that will ultimately thwart Balak's plans. This meeting initiates a narrative that powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to turn intended harm into blessing, as seen in Balaam's subsequent oracles in Numbers 23 and 24.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "utmost coast" translates the Hebrew word qetseh (ืงึฐืฆึตื”), which means "end," "border," or "extremity." Its usage here emphasizes that Balak met Balaam at the furthest possible point within Moabite territory, accessible from Balaam's travel route. This detail reinforces Balak's eagerness and the strategic importance of the meeting. The Arnon River (ื ึทื—ึทืœ ืึทืจึฐื ื•ึนืŸ, nachal Arnon) was a significant geographical feature, often serving as a natural border between different territories in the region.

Practical Application

Numbers 22:36, though brief, introduces a profound biblical truth: God's plans for His people cannot be thwarted by human schemes or opposition. Balak's desperate efforts to curse Israel ultimately failed, and instead, Balaam was compelled by God to bless them. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty. In our own lives, when we face opposition or perceive threats, this story encourages us to trust in God's protective hand and His ability to transform challenging circumstances into opportunities for His glory. It echoes the assurance that no weapon formed against those who belong to God will ultimately prosper.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 28:15

    And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

  • Isaiah 16:2

    For it shall be, [that], as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.

  • Jeremiah 48:20

    Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,

  • Genesis 18:2

    And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

  • Deuteronomy 2:24

    ยถ Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess [it], and contend with him in battle.

  • Numbers 21:13

    From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which [is] in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon [is] the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

  • Numbers 21:14

    Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,
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