Numbers 22:1–16

Balak Summons Balaam to Curse Israel

²²The Israelites set out and camped in the plains of Moab across the Jordan from Jericho.^{* 2}Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. ³Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were so numerous; Moab was overcome with fear of the Israelites.^{* 4}And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.^{* 5}He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is on the Euphrates,^c in the land of Amaw,^d to summon him, saying, “A people has come out of Egypt; they have spread over the face of the earth, and they have settled next to me.^{* 6}Come now, curse this people for me, since they are stronger than I; perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed.”^*

⁷So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message.^{* 8}He said to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, just as the Lord speaks to me”; so the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.^{* 9}God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” ¹⁰Balaam said to God, “King Balak son of Zippor of Moab has sent me this message: ¹¹‘Look, a people has come^e out of Egypt and has spread over the face of the earth; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’ ” ¹²God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”^{* 13}So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the officials of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” ¹⁴So the officials of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

¹⁵Once again Balak sent officials, more numerous and more distinguished than these. ¹⁶They came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak son of Zippor: Do not let anything hinder you from coming to me,