Study Desk

No longer may the Israelites come near the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.

The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.

Then a man who is clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin.

Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.

Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.

"Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock."

But Edom insisted, "You may not pass through." And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand.

So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation.

And the LORD heard Israel's plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.

They journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness opposite Moab to the east.

From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered.

From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory. Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites.

Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan marched out against them with his whole army to do battle at Edrei.

So they struck down Og, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left. And they took possession of his land.

and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.

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.

So please come now and put a curse on these people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."

The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.

'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.'"

They came to Balaam and said, "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,