Numbers
Chapter 22
Skip to reading
Choose chapter (22 selected)
Leningrad Codex, through the Open Scriptures Westminster Leningrad Codex. The written consonants are printed. A Masoretic reading is footnoted when it differs. No Dead Sea reading was substituted unless it was read from a fragment. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Greek, Syriac, and Latin versions are witnesses, not the default.
A dotted word is a harder one. Point at it, or tap it, for a short definition.
1The sons of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho.
2Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorite.
3Moab was very afraid of the people, because they were many, and Moab dreaded the sons of Israel.
4Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now this assembly will lick up everything around us, as the ox licks up the green of the field. Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor, which is by the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Look, a people has come out of Egypt. Look, it covers the eye of the land, and it is sitting opposite me.
Notes (1)Hide notes
- Translation
Ein ha-aretz is the eye of the land, its surface. Benei ammo is “the sons of his people.” The place is not renamed.
6Now come, please, curse this people for me, for it is mightier than I am. Perhaps I will be able to strike it, and I will drive it from the land. For I know that the one you bless is blessed, and the one you curse is cursed.
7The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went, with A way of trying to learn hidden things by signs. payments in their hand. They came to Balaam and spoke Balak’s words to him.
Notes (1)Hide notes
- Translation
Qesamim are payments for divination, the fee in the hand. The tools of a diviner are the other sense, and they are not printed.
8He said to them, Stay here tonight, and I will bring you back a word, as God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. speaks to me. The chiefs of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9God came to Balaam and said, Who are these men with you?
10Balaam said to God, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me:
11Look, the people that came out of Egypt, and it covers the eye of the land. Now come, put a curse on it for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against it and drive it out.
Notes (1)Hide notes
- Translation
Qavah is “put a curse on.” Arar, in verse 6, is the other verb, “curse.” Both are printed where they stand. The speaker here is quoting Balak to God, and the verb is the one written in this verse.
12God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for it is blessed.
13Balaam rose in the morning and said to Balak’s chiefs, Go to your land, for God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. refuses to let me go with you.
14The chiefs of Moab rose and came to Balak and said, Balaam refuses to go with us.
15Balak sent again, more chiefs, and more honored than these.
16They came to Balaam and said to him, This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please do not hold back from coming to me.
17For I will honor, honor you greatly, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, please, put a curse on this people for me.
18Balaam answered and said to Balak’s servants, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to cross the mouth of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. my God, to do a small thing or a great one.
19Now, please, you also stay here tonight, and I will know what more God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. will speak with me.
20God came to Balaam at night and said to him, If the men have come to call you, get up and go with them. But only the word that I speak to you, that you shall do.
21Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the chiefs of Moab.
22God’s anger burned because he was going, and the messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. stood in the way as an adversary to him. He was riding on his donkey, and his two young men were with him.
Notes (1)Hide notes
- Translation
The anger is Elohim, God. The one in the road is the messenger of Yahweh. Lesatan is “as an adversary,” one who blocks the way. It is not printed as a name.
23The donkey saw the messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. standing in the way, his sword drawn in his hand, and the donkey turned aside from the way and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back to the way.
24The messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
25The donkey saw the messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. and pressed herself to the wall, and she pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall, and he struck her again.
26The messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. passed on farther and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn right or left.
27The donkey saw the messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. and lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with the staff.
28God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?
29Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have made a fool of me. If there were a sword in my hand, I would kill you now.
30The donkey said to Balaam, Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life until this day? Have I been in the habit, in the habit, of doing this to you? He said, No.
31God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. uncovered Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. standing in the way, his sword drawn in his hand. He bowed and fell on his face.
32The messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I came out as an adversary, because the way rushed out against me.
Notes (1)Hide notes
- Translation
Yarat is a rare word. “The way rushed out against me” is printed. “The way is twisted before me” is the other live sense.
33The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would have killed you by now, and her I would have let live.
34Balaam said to the messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary., I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing to meet me in the way. Now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back.
35The messenger of God’s own name. The Hebrew writes YHWH. See the glossary. said to Balaam, Go with the men. But only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak. Balaam went with Balak’s chiefs.
36Balak heard that Balaam had come, and he went out to meet him at a city of Moab on the border of the Arnon, at the edge of the border.
37Balak said to Balaam, Did I not send, send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to honor you?
38Balaam said to Balak, Look, I have come to you. Now, am I able, able to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I will speak.
39Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
Notes (1)Hide notes
- Translation
Qiryat chutzot is Kiriath-huzoth, the town of the outer streets. The name is printed.
40Balak sacrificed cattle and flock, and sent some to Balaam and to the chiefs who were with him.
41In the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw the edge of the people.