Study Desk

Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho. ^(F49)

Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,

and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, ^(F50) in his native land. Balak said: "A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.

Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."