Numbers 22:5

KJV

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

KJV (with Strong's)

He sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} therefore unto Balaam {H1109} the son {H1121} of Beor {H1160} to Pethor {H6604}, which is by the river {H5104} of the land {H776} of the children {H1121} of his people {H5971}, to call {H7121} him, saying {H559}, Behold, there is a people {H5971} come out {H3318} from Egypt {H4714}: behold, they cover {H3680} the face {H5869} of the earth {H776}, and they abide {H3427} over against {H4136} me:

Complete Jewish Bible

He sent messengers to Bil'am the son of B'or, at P'tor by the [Euphrates] River in his native land, to tell him, "Listen, a people has come out of Egypt, spread over all the land and settled down next to me.

Berean Standard Bible

he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

American Standard Version

And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:5 initiates the pivotal narrative of Balak and Balaam, detailing King Balak of Moab's desperate act of sending messengers to the renowned diviner Balaam in Pethor. Overwhelmed by the vast Israelite encampment, which he describes as covering the face of the earth and abiding "over against me," Balak seeks to hire Balaam to curse this formidable people, believing such a pronouncement holds the power to neutralize the perceived threat. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between human fear and divine sovereignty, highlighting the ancient Near Eastern belief in the efficacy of blessings and curses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 22:5 immediately follows the Israelites' successful military campaigns against Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, as detailed in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - Israel's Victories and Journey"). Having defeated these powerful regional rulers, Israel encamped in the plains of Moab, specifically "on this side Jordan by Jericho" ([Numbers 22:1](/numbers/22-1 "Numbers 22:1 - Israel in the Plains of Moab")). This proximity to Moab, coupled with the sheer size of the Israelite population, instilled overwhelming fear in Balak, the king of Moab, and the elders of Midian ([Numbers 22:2-4](/numbers/22-2 "Numbers 22:2-4 - Balak's Fear of Israel")). Balak's panic is vividly expressed in his lament that Israel would "lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field" ([Numbers 22:4](/numbers/22-4 "Numbers 22:4 - Balak's Analogy of the Ox")). Unable to contend with Israel militarily, Balak resorts to a supernatural strategy, dispatching messengers to secure the services of Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner famed for his potent blessings and curses. This verse thus marks the narrative shift from Israel's physical conquests to a spiritual confrontation, where God's covenant faithfulness will be demonstrated against pagan attempts to thwart His purposes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of employing diviners, sorcerers, or seers to invoke blessings or curses was widespread in the ancient Near East. Rulers and individuals alike believed that certain gifted individuals possessed the power to manipulate supernatural forces through incantations, rituals, or pronouncements. These blessings and curses were not merely words but were understood as effective, potent forces that could alter destiny, bring prosperity or ruin, and secure victory or defeat. Balaam, described as "the son of Beor," was evidently a highly renowned figure in this regard, with a reputation that extended far beyond his homeland. Pethor, identified as "by the river of the land of the children of his people," is widely believed to be Pitru, a city located on the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia, near Carchemish. This distant location underscores Balaam's fame and Balak's desperation, as he was willing to send a significant delegation over a considerable distance to procure Balaam's services. The Moabites, descendants of Lot, and the Midianites, were distinct peoples but often allied or interacted, particularly in their shared apprehension of the expanding Israelite presence. Despite God's earlier command to Israel not to harass Moab ([Deuteronomy 2:9](/deuteronomy/2-9 "Deuteronomy 2:9 - God's Command Regarding Moab")), Balak's fear overrides any such considerations, leading him to seek a spiritual offensive.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that permeate the Balaam narrative and the broader book of Numbers. Firstly, **Fear and Desperation** are palpable in Balak's response to the Israelite presence. His exaggerated description of Israel "covering the face of the earth" vividly portrays his overwhelming panic and sense of imminent doom, driving him to extraordinary and desperate measures. Secondly, the **Power of Words** is central; the entire episode hinges on the ancient belief that spoken pronouncements, especially from a diviner, carried immense spiritual weight and could materially affect reality. Balak's conviction that "he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed" ([Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak's Belief in Balaam's Power")) highlights this theme. Thirdly, the narrative immediately foreshadows **Divine Sovereignty**. While Balak intends for Balaam to curse Israel, the subsequent chapters will powerfully demonstrate God's ultimate control over Balaam's words, turning intended curses into divine blessings ([Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel"); [Numbers 24:9](/numbers/24-9 "Numbers 24:9 - Balaam's Prophecy of Blessing")). This establishes God's unwavering protection of His covenant people, even in the face of formidable spiritual opposition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Balaam (Hebrew, _Bilʻâm'_):** This proper noun, בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm), identifies the central figure of this narrative. The Strong's definition suggests a meaning like "not (of the) people" or "foreigner," which is fitting given his non-Israelite origin and distant homeland. His fame as a diviner, capable of potent blessings and curses, is the driving force behind Balak's desperate appeal, setting the stage for a unique encounter between pagan divination and the sovereign will of Yahweh.
* **Messengers (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** The Hebrew word מַלְאָךְ (mălʼâk), though appearing in the plural form "messengers" in the verse, is the standard term for an envoy or delegate. Intriguingly, it is also the same word used for "angel." While here it refers to human emissaries, its dual meaning subtly emphasizes the gravity and official nature of Balak's delegation. These were not casual envoys but a formal, high-stakes diplomatic mission, reflecting the king's profound apprehension and the perceived spiritual power of the one they sought.
* **Cover (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** The verb כָּסָה (kâçâh), meaning "to cover" or "to overwhelm," is used here in a highly evocative, hyperbolic sense. When Balak says the Israelites "cover the face of the earth," he uses this verb to express the sheer, overwhelming numerical strength and expansive presence of the Israelite encampment. It conveys a sense of being completely submerged or engulfed by their multitude, akin to a locust plague or an unstoppable flood, thereby underscoring Balak's profound fear and the existential threat he perceives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor":** "He" refers to Balak, King of Moab, whose fear and desperation were established in the preceding verses. The act of sending messengers signifies a formal, urgent diplomatic mission. Balaam, identified by his patronymic "son of Beor," is the renowned diviner whom Balak seeks. His residence in Pethor, a distant Mesopotamian city, immediately signals his widespread fame and the extraordinary lengths Balak is willing to go to secure his services.
* **"which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people":** This clause further specifies Pethor's location, identifying "the river" as the Euphrates, a major river in Mesopotamia. The phrase "land of the children of his people" indicates that Pethor is in Balaam's native region, reinforcing his non-Israelite background and the pagan context from which he operates. This geographical detail underscores the cultural and religious chasm between Balaam's world and the God of Israel, making the divine intervention in the narrative even more striking.
* **"to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:":** This is Balak's urgent plea and his description of the perceived threat. "A people come out from Egypt" identifies the Israelites by their recent history and divine deliverance, acknowledging their miraculous origin and the power that brought them forth. The repetition of "behold" emphasizes the king's alarm and the immediacy of the situation. "They cover the face of the earth" is a powerful hyperbole expressing the sheer numerical strength and overwhelming presence of the Israelites from Balak's perspective, suggesting they are an unstoppable force. Finally, "and they abide over against me" highlights their direct and menacing proximity to Moabite territory, underscoring Balak's sense of being directly confronted and threatened by this immense, divinely-backed nation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Hyperbole** is prominently featured in Balak's description of the Israelites: "they cover the face of the earth." This exaggerated language vividly conveys the king's profound fear and the overwhelming scale of the Israelite presence, effectively communicating his sense of being engulfed by an unstoppable force. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** present. While Balak intends to use Balaam to curse Israel, the very act of sending for a foreign diviner sets the stage for a narrative where God's **Sovereignty** will be powerfully demonstrated over human and pagan intentions. This divine control, where curses are turned into blessings, is subtly hinted at by the sheer futility implied in Balak's desperate, human-centric solution against a people divinely protected. Furthermore, the narrative itself is a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader knows God's covenant promises to Israel, making Balak's elaborate scheme to thwart them ultimately futile, even before Balaam's arrival.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:5 serves as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and spiritual forces. Balak's frantic attempt to employ a foreign diviner against Israel underscores the futility of human schemes when they stand in opposition to divine will. Despite the perceived threat and the pagan world's belief in the efficacy of curses, this narrative arc will demonstrate that no human or demonic power can thwart God's purposes for His chosen people. It highlights that God's protection of Israel is not contingent on their strength or wisdom, but on His own promises and power. This passage, therefore, reassures believers that God remains the ultimate arbiter of destiny, capable of turning intended harm into blessing, and that His people are secure under His providential care, even when facing formidable spiritual or physical opposition.

* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:5, though detailing an ancient pagan practice, offers timeless insights for contemporary believers. Balak's overwhelming fear, leading him to desperate and ultimately futile measures, reminds us that fear, when unchecked, can drive us to irrational decisions, seeking solutions outside of God's wisdom and power. In our own lives, when confronted by seemingly insurmountable challenges, overwhelming opposition, or spiritual attacks, our first impulse should not be to panic or resort to worldly schemes, but to trust in God's sovereign protection and His unwavering faithfulness. This passage encourages us to remember that God is greater than any perceived threat, any human enemy, or any spiritual force arrayed against us. Just as He turned Balak's intended curse into a blessing for Israel, He is capable of working all things for the good of those who love Him, transforming adversity into opportunities for His glory. Our security rests not in our ability to defend ourselves, but in His steadfast love and omnipotent care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "overwhelming" situations in your life tempt you to resort to desperate, human-centric solutions rather than trusting God's sovereignty?**
* **How does the narrative of Balaam, initiated here, encourage you to believe that God can turn intended harm into blessing in your own circumstances?**
* **In what ways might we, like Balak, misinterpret the presence of God's people (or His work in the world) as a threat, rather than recognizing His divine purpose?**

### FAQ

**Who was Balaam, and why was he chosen by Balak?**

Answer: Balaam was a non-Israelite diviner or prophet from Pethor, a city in Mesopotamia. He was renowned throughout the ancient Near East for his powerful ability to pronounce effective blessings and curses. Balak chose him because he believed Balaam possessed a unique spiritual power to influence outcomes, as stated in [Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak's Belief in Balaam's Power"): "for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed." Balak, overwhelmed and terrified by the vast Israelite population, sought to hire Balaam to curse them, hoping to weaken or destroy them supernaturally since he could not defeat them militarily.

**What is the significance of Pethor's location "by the river"?**

Answer: Pethor's location "by the river of the land of the children of his people" strongly indicates it was situated on the Euphrates River, placing it in Mesopotamia, far from Moab. This geographical detail is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores Balaam's widespread reputation; Balak was willing to send a considerable distance to secure his services, highlighting Balaam's fame and Balak's desperation. Secondly, it emphasizes Balaam's non-Israelite, pagan background, making the divine control over his prophecies all the more remarkable. The fact that God could speak through a foreign diviner from a distant land reinforces His universal sovereignty, not limited by geographical or cultural boundaries, as seen throughout the Bible in passages like [Jonah 1:1-3](/jonah/1-1 "Jonah 1:1-3 - God's Call to Jonah for Nineveh").

**Why was Balak so afraid of the Israelites, despite God's command not to harass Moab?**

Answer: Balak's fear stemmed primarily from the sheer numerical strength and recent military successes of the Israelites. They had just defeated the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan, powerful regional kingdoms, and were now encamped directly on Moab's border. Balak describes them as "covering the face of the earth" and being so numerous that they would "lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field" ([Numbers 22:4](/numbers/22-4 "Numbers 22:4 - Balak's Analogy of the Ox")). This was a fear of overwhelming invasion and consumption of his land. While God had commanded Israel not to harass Moab ([Deuteronomy 2:9](/deuteronomy/2-9 "Deuteronomy 2:9 - God's Command Regarding Moab")), Balak was unaware of this divine directive and perceived the Israelites solely as a massive, conquering force, leading to his desperate attempt to counter them supernaturally.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 22:5, by introducing the narrative of Balak's attempt to curse Israel through Balaam, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan in Christ. Just as Balak sought to neutralize a perceived threat through a curse, humanity's sin brought a curse upon creation and separation from God ([Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground")). However, the story of Balaam demonstrates God's sovereign power to turn intended curses into blessings, ultimately revealing His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. This finds its supreme fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who became a curse for us, taking upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin and its consequences, that we might receive the blessing of Abraham ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). He is the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice not only removes the curse of sin but also secures eternal blessing and reconciliation with God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, just as Balaam was compelled to speak blessings over Israel, Christ, as the ultimate Prophet and King, pronounces blessings upon His church, His new covenant people, and His words of grace and truth cannot be thwarted by any earthly or spiritual opposition ([Matthew 5:3-12](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes"); [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing")). Thus, Balaam's inability to curse Israel points forward to Christ's definitive victory over all the powers of darkness, ensuring that no weapon formed against His redeemed people shall prosper, for He is their ultimate protector and the source of all true blessing ([Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31-39 - God Is For Us")).

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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 23:4

Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

Micah 6:5

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

Joshua 24:9

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

Jude 1:11

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Numbers 23:7

And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, [saying], Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

Joshua 13:22

Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.