Numbers 22:1–14

BALAK HIRES BALAAM

22The Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan across from Jericho. ²Now Balak^o son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.^{p 3}Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous,^q and Moab dreaded the Israelites. ⁴So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us like an ox eats up the green plants in the field.”

Since Balak son of Zippor was Moab’s king at that time, ⁵he sent messengers to Balaam^r son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people.^BC Balak said to him, “Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the surface of the land^s and are living right across from me. ⁶Please come and put a curse on these people for me because they are more powerful than I am. 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.”^t

⁷The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination^a in hand.^b They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him. ⁸He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the Lord tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.

⁹Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

¹⁰Balaam replied to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me: ¹¹‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ”

¹²Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

¹³So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

¹⁴The officials of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and reported, “Balaam refused to come with us.”