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:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח
He sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח
He sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 28
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָכִ֜ים
messengers
H4397
מַלְאָכִ֜ים
messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
2 of 28
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּע֗וֹר
of Beor
H1160
בְּע֗וֹר
of Beor
Strong's:
H1160
Word #:
6 of 28
beor, the name of the father of an edomitish king; also of that of balaam
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנָּהָ֛ר
which is by the river
H5104
הַנָּהָ֛ר
which is by the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
10 of 28
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַ֣ם
Behold there is a people
H5971
עַ֣ם
Behold there is a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לִקְרֹא
to call
H7121
לִקְרֹא
to call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
14 of 28
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עַ֣ם
Behold there is a people
H5971
עַ֣ם
Behold there is a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
18 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יָצָ֤א
come out
H3318
יָצָ֤א
come out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
19 of 28
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כִסָּה֙
behold they cover
H3680
כִסָּה֙
behold they cover
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
22 of 28
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵ֣ין
the face
H5869
עֵ֣ין
the face
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
24 of 28
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְה֥וּא
H1931
וְה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
26 of 28
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
Cross References
Deuteronomy 23:4Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.Joshua 24:9Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:Micah 6:5O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.Jude 1:11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.Joshua 13:22Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.Numbers 23:7And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
Historical Context
Balaam was evidently a famous diviner in the ancient Near East. His reputation extended across hundreds of miles. Archaeological discoveries at Deir Alla in Jordan reference a 'Balaam son of Beor' who was a 'seer of the gods,' confirming his historical existence and regional fame. His technique of blessing and cursing for hire typified pagan religious practitioners.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Balak's desperate search for spiritual power reveal the reality of spiritual warfare?
- What does it mean that spiritual realities determine physical outcomes?
- How do we recognize when visible problems have invisible spiritual causes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Balak sending messengers to Balaam 'the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people' shows the great distance Balak went to secure spiritual power against Israel. Pethor was approximately 400 miles from Moab, near the Euphrates. This desperate journey reveals Balak's conviction that spiritual weapons were necessary where military might failed. It also shows the pagan world's recognition that invisible spiritual realities determine visible outcomes. Paul affirms this principle: 'we wrestle not against flesh and blood' (Ephesians 6:12).