Números 22:1-5 NVIPT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 22:1-14

The children of Israel have at length finished their wanderings in the wilderness, out of which they went up (Num. 21:18), and are now encamped in the plains of Moab near Jordan, where they continued till they passed through Jordan under Joshua, after the death of Moses. Now we have here, I. The fright which the Moabites were in upon the approach of Israel, Num. 22:2-4. They needed not to fear any harm from them if they knew (and it is probable that Moses let them know) the orders God had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:1

And the children of Israel set forward ,.... From the country of Bashan, where we read of them last, after they had conquered Og the king of it, and also Sihon king of the Amorites, and settled some of their tribes in both kingdoms; the particular place from whence they came hither, according to the account of their journeys, were the mountains of Abarim, Numbers 33:48 , and pitched in the plains of Moab the part of them they encamped in reached from Bethjesimoth to Abelshittim, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:2

And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. The word "Amorites" being particularly pointed, shows, as Aben Ezra observes, that Sihon and Og are both meant, and that there were not among the kings of the land of Canaan any so great as they; wherefore when Balak, who was the present king of Moab, saw what Israel had done to them, that they had conquered them, and seized upon their kingdoms: he reasoned within himself, and said, as Jarchi represents him, that if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:3

And Moab was sore afraid of the people ,.... Lest they should enter into their country and do to them as they had done to Sihon and Og, and their countries; on this account the king of Moab, his nobles, and the people of the land, were in an exceeding great panic, which was a fulfilling of the prophecy of Moses in Exodus 15:15 , because they were many the number of them taken a little after in this place, where they now were, in the plains of Moab, even after 24,000 had died of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:4

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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:5

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor ,.... In consequence of the consultation held by the king of Moab with the elders of Midian; and very probably through a motion of theirs, and by advice they gave, Balak dispatched messengers of both people to the person here described by his name and parentage; but who he was is not easy to say: the Jews sometimes make him to be a magician in Pharaoh's court, at the time when Moses was born F26 Dibre Hayamim Shekmoaseh, fol. 3. 2.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:1

And pitched in the plains of Moab - They had taken no part of the country that at present appertained to the Moabites; they had taken only that part which had formerly belonged to this people, but had been taken from them by Sihon, king of the Amorites. On this side Jordan - On the east side. By Jericho, that is, over against it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:5

To Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people - Dr. Kennicott justly remarks, that "the description now given of Balaam's residence, instead of being particular, agrees with any place in any country where there is a river; for he lived by Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people. But was Pethor then near the Nile in Egypt? Or in Canaan, near Jordan? Or in Mesopotamia, near the Euphrates, and belonging to the Ammonites? This last was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:1

Verse 1 1.And the children, of Israel set forward. This narrative contains many circumstances worthy of record: First, it shews that there is no stone which Satan does not turn for the destruction of the Church, and that, after he has assailed her in vain by force of arms, he attacks her by snares and secret artifices, whilst the ungodly also work under his impulse, as far as they are able, to overthrow her by deceit, and to make the promises of God, and His unchangeable decree for the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:5

Verse 5 5.He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam. This passage shews us, like many others, that the errors wherein Satan entangles unbelievers are derived from good principles. The modesty of king Balak appears to be worthy of praise, in that, conscious of his own weakness, and placing no confidence in human aid, he sets about imploring the help of God. For this is our only safe refuge, although earthly aids may fail us, still to maintain our courage, and to rely upon God, who is... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 22:1-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:5

Group of Brands