King James Version

What Does Numbers 22:5 Mean?

Numbers 22:5 in the King James Version says “He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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: face: Heb. eye

Numbers 22:5 · KJV


Context

3

And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

4

And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

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: face: Heb. eye

6

Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

7

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.


Commentary

KJV Study 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Balak's desperate search for spiritual power reveal the reality of spiritual warfare?
  2. What does it mean that spiritual realities determine physical outcomes?
  3. How do we recognize when visible problems have invisible spiritual causes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח1 of 28

He sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מַלְאָכִ֜ים2 of 28

messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

אֶל3 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בִּלְעָ֣ם4 of 28

therefore unto Balaam

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

בְּנֵֽי5 of 28

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בְּע֗וֹר6 of 28

of Beor

H1160

beor, the name of the father of an edomitish king; also of that of balaam

פְּ֠תוֹרָה7 of 28

to Pethor

H6604

pethor, a place in mesopotamia

אֲשֶׁ֧ר8 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל9 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַנָּהָ֛ר10 of 28

which is by the river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

הָאָ֔רֶץ11 of 28

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּנֵֽי12 of 28

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַ֣ם13 of 28

Behold there is a people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לִקְרֹא14 of 28

to call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

ל֑וֹ15 of 28
H0
לֵאמֹ֗ר16 of 28

him saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִ֠נֵּה17 of 28
H2009

lo!

עַ֣ם18 of 28

Behold there is a people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יָצָ֤א19 of 28

come out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙20 of 28

from Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הִנֵּ֤ה21 of 28
H2009

lo!

כִסָּה֙22 of 28

behold they cover

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

אֶת23 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵ֣ין24 of 28

the face

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הָאָ֔רֶץ25 of 28

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְה֥וּא26 of 28
H1931

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

יֹשֵׁ֖ב27 of 28

and they abide

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מִמֻּלִֽי׃28 of 28

over against

H4136

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 22:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 22:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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