Numbers 22:4

_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._ Moab said unto the elders of Midian. While branches of the Midianites established themselves in various localities (Genesis 36:35; Exodus 3:1, etc.), the main portion of the tribe were settled on the high table-lands east of Moab and south of Ammon, being under the government of five kings (shiekhs) (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21) - evidently those who are here called "elders" х_ ZIQNIYM_ ...

1-14 The king of Moab formed a plan to get the people of Israel cursed; that is, to set God against them, who had hitherto fought for them. He had a false notion, that if he could get some prophet to pray for evil upon them, and to pronounce a blessing upon himself and his forces, that then he should be able to deal with them. None had so great a reputation as Balaam; and Balak will employ him, though he send a great way for him. It is not known whether the Lord had ever spoken to Balaam, or by him, before this; though it is probable he had, and it is certain he did afterwards. Yet we have abundant proof that he lived and died a wicked man, an enemy to God and his people. And the curse shall not come upon us if there is not a cause, even though men utter it. To prevail with Balaam, they took the wages of unrighteousness, but God laid restraint upon Balaam, forbidding him to curse Israel...

EXPOSITION THE COMING OF BALAAM (Numbers 22:2). NUMBERS 22:2 BALAK THE SON OF ZIPPOR. The name Balak is connected with a word "to make waste," and "Zippor" is a small bird. Balak was, as is presently explained, the king of Moab at this time, but not the king from whom Sihon had wrested so much of his territory (Numbers 21:26). He seems to be mentioned by name on a papyrus in the British Museum (see Brugseh, ‘Geogr. Inschr.,' 2, page 32). The later Jews made him out to have been a Midianite, but this is nothing but the merest conjecture....

AND MOAB SAID UNTO THE ELDERS OF MIDIAN,.... Whom the king of Moab sent for to consult with what to do in the present case, for the good and safety of both people; for, according to the Targum of Jonathan, they were one people and one kingdom unto this time, at least had been confederates, by what is said Genesis 36:35 though Jarchi thinks there was always a mutual hatred of each other, and that Midian now came against Moab to war, but for fear of Israel a peace was made between them, just as it was with Herod and Pontius Pilate in another case, Luke 23:12, however, they were friends as well as neighbours now; and by which it appears, that this Midian was not that where Jethro lived, which was on the Red sea, near Mount Sinai, in Arabia Felix; this was near the river Arnon, and the Moabites in Arabia Petraea;

III. EVENTS IN THE PLAIN OF MOAB FACING THE LAND 1. Balak and Balaam and Balaam's Parables CHAPTER 22 _ 1. Balak's message to Balaam (Numbers 22:1)_ 2. The journey of Balaam (Numbers 22:21) 3. Balaam with Balak (Numbers 22:36) The last section of the wilderness book begins with the story of Balak and Balaam. An enemy, the Gentile Balaam, has to speak the words of prophecy, predicting wonderful blessing and glory for the hosts of Israel. The advancing Israelites inspired terror and Balak (waster), the king of Moab, not willing to meet Israel in open battle, sent for Balaam (devourer of the people) to put his powerful magic spell upon Israel and curse them. Balaam, or

MOAB'S FEAR OF ISRAEL. Of these verses I comes from P, the rest from JE (the presence of both constituents being shown by the repetitions in Numbers 22:3). As the Moabites were great breeders of sheep (2 Kings 3:4), they feared that the pasturage would not suffice for both themselves and Israel (likewise a pastoral people). The reference in Numbers 22:4 (and also Numbers 22:7) to _Midian_ is probably due to an editor who wished to bring P's allusions to Balaam in Numbers 31:8; Nu

ALL THAT ARE ROUND ABOUT US: Hebrew all our circuits. Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Subject). App-6....

Balak king of Moab being frightened by the near proximity of the Israelites sent for Balaam a famous soothsayer to curse them, offering him liberal payment. Balaam came but refused to utter any oracle but that which Jehovah revealed to him. _Zippor_ The word denotes -a little bird," the fem. of which is seen in Ẓippôrah, Moses" wife. The name may point to early totemistic beliefs (see Frazer, _Totemism_2, W. R. Smith, _Rel. Sem._2 124 ff.). _the Amorites_ Og, the king of Bashan, is not mentioned; see on Numbers 21:33-35....

AND MOAB SAID UNTO THE ELDERS OF MIDIAN— Said, i.e. by messengers, whom he sent to them as being his neighbours and allies; and whom, as his first step, he endeavoured to join in a confederacy against the Israelites, as their common enemy. The _elders of Midian_ means their king and princes; see ch. Numbers 31:8. Joshua 13:21. These Midianites are not the same as those descended from Abraham by Keturah, of whom we read, Genesis 25:2 for they were settled on the eastern coast of the Red sea, on the borders of Arabia Felix; whereas these appear to have been in the neighbourhood of the Moabites. Their capital city is placed by St. Jerome on the banks of the Arnon, not far from Ar of the Moabites; and their country is thought

Part Four: On The Plains of Moab (Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Numbers 24; Numbers 25; Numbers 26; Numbers 27; Numbers 28; Numbers 29; Numbers 30; Numbers 31;...