Study Desk

Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned because we have spoken against Yahweh and against you; pray to Yahweh, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses prayed for the people.

From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

Then Israel struck him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the sons of Ammon; for the border of the sons of Ammon was Jazer.

For Heshbon was the city of Sihon, king of the Amorites. Now it was he who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon.

For a fire went forth from Heshbon,A flame from the town of Sihon;It devoured Ar of Moab,The dominant heights of the Arnon.

Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan, and Og the king of Bashan went out to meet them, he and all his people for battle at Edrei.

But Yahweh said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon."

So they struck down him and his sons and all his people, until there was no survivor remaining for him; and they possessed his land.

So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.

So now, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went away with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and spoke Balak's words to him.

‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.'"

And God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for Yahweh has refused to allow me to go with you."

for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.'"

And Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. So now, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."

Then he took up his discourse and said,"From Aram Balak has brought me,Moab's king from the mountains of the East,‘Come curse Jacob for me,And come, denounce Israel!'

For I see him from the top of the rocks,And I look at him from the hills;Behold, a people who dwells alone,And will not be reckoned among the nations.

Then Balak said to him, "Please come with me to another place from where you may see them, but you will only see the end of them and will not see all of them; and curse them for me from there."