Study Desk

And the Moabites were greatly afraid of the people, because they were so numerous. The Moabites were sick with fear because of the Israelites.

So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "Now this mass of people will lick up everything around us, as the bull devours the grass of the field." Now Balak son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at this time.

So now, please come and curse this nation for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I will prevail so that we may conquer them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed."

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fee for divination in their hand. They came to Balaam and reported to him the words of Balak.

He replied to them, "Stay here tonight, and I will bring back to you whatever word the Lord may speak to me." So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

So Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to your land, for the Lord has refused to permit me to go with you."

So the princes of Moab departed and went back to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

For I will honor you greatly, and whatever you tell me I will do. So come, put a curse on this nation for me.'"

So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, so the donkey turned aside from the road and went into the field. But Balaam beat the donkey, to make her turn back to the road.

And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord , she pressed herself into the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he beat her again.

Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; so he bowed his head and threw himself down with his face to the ground.

Balaam said to the angel of the Lord , "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood against me in the road. So now, if it is evil in your sight, I will go back home."

But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you may only speak the word that I will speak to you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

So Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each altar a bull and a ram.

So he returned to him, and he was still standing by his burnt offering, he and all the princes of Moab.

So Balak brought Balaam to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward the wilderness.

So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.