Numbers 22:5 - He sent messengers to 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 who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me.
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What does "Numbers 22:5" mean?
This verse from Numbers 22:5 is setting the stage for a significant event: King Balak of Moab's attempt to curse the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people..." This identifies who King Balak sent his messengers to: Balaam, the son of Beor. Balaam lived in Pethor, a town located by "the River" (likely the Euphrates River, placing him far to the northeast of Moab). The phrase "the land of the children of his people" suggests Balaam was living among his own kinfolk in that area.
"...to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me." This is the message the messengers were to deliver to Balaam. King Balak describes the Israelites as:
"a people who came out of Egypt": Highlighting their miraculous deliverance and unique origins.
"they cover the surface of the earth": This emphasizes their sheer number and the perceived threat they pose to Moab.
"they are staying opposite me": They are encamped near Moab, ready to potentially invade.
In essence, the verse means:
King Balak of Moab, feeling threatened by the large and powerful Israelite nation camped on his border, sends messengers to a well-known diviner named Balaam, living far away in Mesopotamia. Balak's message to Balaam describes the Israelites as a numerous and formidable people who have emerged from Egypt and are now encamped near Moab, presenting a direct threat.
Context and Significance:
This verse is crucial because it sets up the entire narrative of Numbers 22-24, which centers around Balak's attempts to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balak believes that Balaam's curses have power, and he sees this as a way to defeat or at least deter the Israelites from invading his land. The subsequent chapters recount Balaam's journey, his interactions with God, and ultimately, his inability to curse the Israelites. Instead, he ends up blessing them, much to Balak's dismay.
Numbers 22:5 - He sent messengers to 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 who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me.
What does "Numbers 22:5" mean?
This verse from Numbers 22:5 is setting the stage for a significant event: King Balak of Moab's attempt to curse the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people..." This identifies who King Balak sent his messengers to: Balaam, the son of Beor. Balaam lived in Pethor, a town located by "the River" (likely the Euphrates River, placing him far to the northeast of Moab). The phrase "the land of the children of his people" suggests Balaam was living among his own kinfolk in that area.
"...to call him, saying, “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they are staying opposite me." This is the message the messengers were to deliver to Balaam. King Balak describes the Israelites as:
"a people who came out of Egypt": Highlighting their miraculous deliverance and unique origins.
"they cover the surface of the earth": This emphasizes their sheer number and the perceived threat they pose to Moab.
"they are staying opposite me": They are encamped near Moab, ready to potentially invade.
In essence, the verse means:
King Balak of Moab, feeling threatened by the large and powerful Israelite nation camped on his border, sends messengers to a well-known diviner named Balaam, living far away in Mesopotamia. Balak's message to Balaam describes the Israelites as a numerous and formidable people who have emerged from Egypt and are now encamped near Moab, presenting a direct threat.
Context and Significance:
This verse is crucial because it sets up the entire narrative of Numbers 22-24, which centers around Balak's attempts to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balak believes that Balaam's curses have power, and he sees this as a way to defeat or at least deter the Israelites from invading his land. The subsequent chapters recount Balaam's journey, his interactions with God, and ultimately, his inability to curse the Israelites. Instead, he ends up blessing them, much to Balak's dismay.