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 22:5KJV
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Numbers 22:5 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:5 mean?

Numbers 22:5 describes how Balak, the king of Moab, sent messengers to summon Balaam, a well-known diviner, from his home near the Euphrates River. Balak wanted Balaam’s help because a large group of people (the Israelites) had come out of Egypt and were now camped near Moab, causing Balak concern.

In this verse, Balak is reaching out to Balaam, who lived in Pethor by the river, because he feels threatened by the Israelites’ presence. The verse sets up the story by showing Balak’s fear and his decision to seek supernatural help against a people he sees as overwhelming in number and strength.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:5

  • "messengers" (מַלְאָךְ, mal’akh): This word often means "messenger" or "angel," but here it refers to human envoys sent on an important mission, highlighting the seriousness of Balak’s request.
  • "call" (קָרָא, qara’): This word means "to call" or "summon," emphasizing that Balak is formally inviting Balaam, not just sending a casual request.
  • "cover" (כָּסָה, kasah): This verb means "to cover" or "to conceal," and in this context, it paints a picture of the Israelites being so numerous that they seem to cover the land, intensifying Balak’s anxiety.

Why Numbers 22:5 matters

  • This verse introduces the main conflict of the Balaam story: the fear of Moab’s king in response to Israel’s arrival and his attempt to use spiritual means to address a political problem.
  • The details about Balaam’s location and reputation show that his influence reached far beyond Moab, underlining how desperate Balak was for help.
  • Understanding Balak’s perspective helps explain the actions that follow and sets the stage for the unusual events involving Balaam and his interactions with God.