And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

NUMBERS 22:36KJV
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Numbers 22:36 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:36 mean?

Numbers 22:36 describes how Balak, the king of Moab, heard that Balaam had arrived and went out to meet him at a city on the border of Moab, near the Arnon river, at the farthest edge of his territory. This verse sets the scene for their meeting, showing Balak’s eagerness and the specific location where it happened.

Balak is responding to news that Balaam, the prophet he summoned, has finally come. The verse highlights the location: a city of Moab on the border by the Arnon river, which marked the outermost boundary of Moab’s land. This detail shows the importance Balak placed on meeting Balaam as soon as possible, even before he entered deeper into Moab.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:36

  • בָּלָק (Balak): This is the name of the Moabite king, whose actions drive much of the story in this chapter. His personal involvement in meeting Balaam underscores the seriousness of the situation for Moab.
  • עִיר (ʿir, "city"): The verse specifies that the meeting took place at a city, not just any location, suggesting a formal or significant setting for their encounter.
  • גְּבוּל (gevul, "border"): This word points out that the meeting happened right at the edge of Moabite territory, emphasizing both urgency and the threshold between Moab and the outside world.
  • אַרְנוֹן (Arnon): The Arnon river was a well-known boundary marker in the region, so mentioning it grounds the story in a real, recognizable place for ancient readers.

Why Numbers 22:36 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Balak did not wait for Balaam to come to him but took the initiative to meet him at the border, showing Balak’s anxiety and urgency.
  • By specifying the location at the utmost border by the Arnon, the verse highlights the political and geographical boundaries at play, which are important in the larger story of Israel’s journey.
  • This meeting sets up the following events, where Balak tries to persuade Balaam to curse Israel, and helps readers understand the tension and anticipation leading into their conversation.

Where else these words appear

“Arnon” Hebrew H769 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
  • Deuteronomy 3:8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;
  • Joshua 13:16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;

“Balak” Hebrew H1111 · used in 40 verses

  • Numbers 22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
  • Numbers 22:40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
  • Numbers 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

“Balaam” Hebrew H1109 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
  • Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
  • Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

“utmost” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.