Numbers Chapter 22 · Verse 3
And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨גָר
afraid
H1481
וַיָּ֨גָר
afraid
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
מוֹאָ֔ב
And Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
And Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
2 of 13
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because of
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because of
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָעָ֛ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מְאֹ֖ד
was sore
H3966
מְאֹ֖ד
was sore
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רַב
because they were many
H7227
רַב
because they were many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
7 of 13
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַיָּ֣קָץ
was distressed
H6973
וַיָּ֣קָץ
was distressed
Strong's:
H6973
Word #:
9 of 13
to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious
מוֹאָ֔ב
And Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
And Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
10 of 13
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because of
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because of
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
Moab descended from Lot through incest with his daughters (Genesis 19:36-37). Though related to Israel, Moab remained hostile. The Moabites had watched Israel defeat the Amorite kings Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35), recognizing that conventional military might could not stop them. This drove Balak to seek spiritual weapons through Balaam's curses.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's blessing on His people affect how the world perceives them?
- What does it mean that our spiritual victories often create fear in opposing forces?
- How should we respond when the world recognizes God's hand on His church?
Analysis & Commentary
Moab's fear—'Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many'—reveals how God's blessing on Israel terrified surrounding nations. The Hebrew gur (dread/afraid) indicates existential terror. Moab saw Israel's numbers and concluded they faced unstoppable force. This fulfills God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be numerous (Genesis 15:5) and that nations would fear them (Exodus 23:27). When God blesses His people, even their enemies recognize His hand, pointing to the day when every knee will bow to Christ (Philippians 2:10).