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Numbers 22:5-7
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Numbers 22:5-7
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
5 and he sent messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor on the river, in the land of the Ammonites,[a] to summon him with these words, “A people has come out of Egypt! They have covered up the earth and are settling down opposite me! 6 Now come, curse this people for me,[b] since they are stronger than I am. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed and whoever you curse is cursed.” 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian, themselves experts in divination,[c] left and went to Balaam, to whom they gave Balak’s message.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 22:5 In the land of the Ammonites: the translation rests on a slight emendation of the traditional Hebrew text in accordance with the tradition represented by the Vulgate. While Pethor remains unidentified, this verse supports an identification of Balaam’s homeland in the Transjordan (cf. the Deir ‘Alla Inscriptions), over against other traditions in the text which connect Balaam with Syria (23:7; Dt 23:5).
- 22:6 Curse this people for me: Balak believed that Balaam, known in the tradition as a diviner (cf. Jos 13:22), could utter a curse upon Israel which would come to pass.
- 22:7 Experts in divination: lit., “divination was in their hand,” i.e., “in their possession”; cf. Ezr 7:25.
Numbers 22:5-7
New International Version
Numbers 22:5-7
New International Version
5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor,(A) who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River,(B) in his native land. Balak said:
“A people has come out of Egypt;(C) they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse(D) on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.(E) For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”
7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination.(F) When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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