Num 22:2-6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 22:2-24:25: 22:2–24:25 The narrative of Balak and Balaam describes a pivotal moment in Israel’s history and contains humor, drama, and profound theological insights. The Lord’s will must be accomplished—nothing could thwart his plan for Israel. Summary for Num 22:2-3: 22:2-3 Balak is unknown outside of this incident (Josh 24:9 ; Judg 11:25 ; Mic 6:5 ; Rev 2:14 ). His territory had been seized by Sihon, the Amorite king (Num 21:26 ), whom Israel had just defeated (21:21-31 ). Balak may have imagined that his tiny kingdom was next.

Summary for Num 22:2-24:25: 22:2–24:25 ^a The narrative of Balak and Balaam describes a pivotal moment in Israel’s history and contains humor, drama, and profound theological insights. The Lord’s will must be accomplished—nothing could thwart his plan for Israel.
Summary for Num 22:2-3: 22:2-3 ^b Balak is unknown outside of this incident (Josh 24:9 ^c; Judg 11:25 ^d; Mic 6:5 ^e; Rev 2:14 ^f). His territory had been seized by Sihon, the Amorite king (Num 21:26 ^g), whom Israel had just defeated (21:21-31 ^h). Balak may have imagined that his tiny kingdom was next.
22:4 ⁱ Midian: This desert people was descended from Abraham (Gen 25:1-2 ^j; Exod 2:15-16 ^k). Their alliance with Moab was the beginning of their conflicts with Israel (Num 22:7 ^l; see 25:6 ^m, 14-18 ⁿ; 31:2-10 ^o; Judg 6–8 ^p).
Summary for Num 22:5-6: 22:5-6 ^q Balaam was a pagan religious specialist (a diviner) from northwest Mesopotamia (see profile for Balaam at end of chapter). Like other ancient peoples, Moab and Midian believed that the spoken word—in the form of a blessing or curse—was powerful when uttered by a skilled diviner. Members of this trained profession claimed to possess special powers to learn about and manipulate the future course of events (see Deut 18:14 ^r; 1 Sam 6:2 ^s; 2 Kgs 21:6 ^t; Isa 44:25 ^u; Dan 2:1-12 ^v, 27-28 ^w; Mic 5:12 ^x; Zech 10:2 ^y). Israel’s enemies appealed to Balaam to pronounce curses upon the Hebrews, for they believed that such spoken words would be effective against them. Ancient armies pronounced such curses on their enemies before they entered battle. Belief in the power of the spoken word was common in ancient Israel even when not linked with divination (e.g., Gen 27:1-40 ^z; Deut 27:15-26 ^aa; 1 Sam 14:24-28 ^ab; cp. Matt 21:18-22 ^ac).

• Pethor (Num 22:5 ^ad) is probably ancient Pitru, located on the west side of the Euphrates River south of Carchemish, 400 miles from Moab.