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King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
Scripture focus
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:
Numbers 22:5 — KJV
Sent messengers. Apparently sent by agreement with the Midianites (see v. 4).
Balaam. From a verb meaning “to swallow up,” “to engulf,” “to violently destroy.”
Pethor. Now definitely identified with Pitru, a short distance from the Euphrates, and to the south of Carchemish. This identification requires that “the river” must be the Euphrates (see Ex. 23:31; Joshua 24:2, 3, 14). According to Balaam’s own statement (Num. 23:7) he was from Aram, as the region of Upper Mesopotamia was known (see PP 438).
His people. Literally, “Amaw” (RSV), now definitely identified with the region of the Sajur Valley, from an inscription on the statue of Idrimi. This valley is situated between Aleppo and Carchemish. The journey from Pitru (see above), a distance of some 400 mi., would require 2 weeks (see PP 438, 439).
A people. An organized nation that 40 years previously had spoiled Egypt and humbled Pharaoh.
Over against me. A constant threat of organized raiding parties. Such a situation naturally made the Moabites most apprehensive.
By SdaBc
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