Numbers 22:2
Numbers 22:2 in Multiple Translations
Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
¶ And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Now Balak, the son of Zippor, saw what Israel had done to the Amorites.
Balak, son of Zippor, had seen all that the Israelites had done to the Amorites.
Now Balak the sonne of Zippor sawe all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
And Balak son of Zippor seeth all that Israel hath done to the Amorite,
Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
And Balac the son of Sephor, seeing all that Israel had done to the Amorrhite,
But King Balak, the son of Zippor, who ruled Moab, found out what the Israelis had done to the Amor people-group.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 22:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 22:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֥רְא
בָּלָ֖ק
בֶּן
צִפּ֑וֹר
אֵ֛ת
כָּל
אֲשֶׁר
עָשָׂ֥ה
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
לָֽ/אֱמֹרִֽי
וַ/יַּ֥רְא
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּלָ֖ק
Bâlâq
H1111
Balak
N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
צִפּ֑וֹר
Tsippôwr
H6834
Zippor
N-proper
אֵ֛ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עָשָׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
לָֽ/אֱמֹרִֽי
ʼĔmôrîy
H567
Amorite
Prep | Ngmsa
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 22:2
וַ/יַּ֥רְא
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
בָּלָ֖ק
Bâlâq
H1111
"Balak"
N-proper
Balak was a king of Moab who hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, as told in Numbers 22:2. His name means devastator, reflecting his role as a king who sought to harm God's people.
Definition: A man of the Moabites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.2; son of: Zippor (H6834) Also named: Balak (Βαλάκ "Balak" G0904) § Balak = "devastator" a king of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: Balak. See also: Numbers 22:2; Numbers 23:7; Micah 6:5.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
צִפּ֑וֹר
Tsippôwr
H6834
"Zippor"
N-proper
Zippor was a Moabite man, father of Balak, the king of Moab during the exodus, and his name means sparrow, as seen in Numbers 22:2.
Definition: A man of the Moabites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.2; father of: Balak (H1111) § Zippor = "sparrow" father of Balak the king of Moab at the time of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Zippor. See also: Numbers 22:2; Numbers 22:16; Judges 11:25.
אֵ֛ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשָׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
לָֽ/אֱמֹרִֽי
ʼĔmôrîy
H567
"Amorite"
Prep | Ngmsa
An Amorite is a member of a Canaanite tribe, first mentioned in Genesis 10:16, descended from Canaan. The Israelites displaced them as they entered the Promised Land.
Definition: Someone descended from Amor(?), first mentioned at Gen.10.16; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § Amorite = "a sayer" one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: Amorite. See also: Genesis 10:16; Joshua 9:1; Psalms 135:11.
Study Notes — Numbers 22:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 22:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 22:2
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 22:2
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 22:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 22:2
Context — Balak Summons Balaam
1Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho.
2Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
3and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. 4So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 11:25 | Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them? |
| 2 | Numbers 21:20–35 | and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland. Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified. Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages. Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored. For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights. Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba. ” So Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there. Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army came out to meet them in battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” So they struck down Og, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left. And they took possession of his land. |
| 3 | Numbers 21:3 | And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah. |
Numbers 22:2 Summary
This verse, Numbers 22:2, tells us that Balak, the king of Moab, saw what the Israelites had done to the Amorites and was afraid. He realized that the Israelites were a powerful and numerous people, and he was worried that they would destroy his nation, just like they had defeated the Amorites in Numbers 21:21-35. We can learn from this that God is always with His people, just as He was with the Israelites in the wilderness (as seen in Exodus 13:21-22), and that He will help us overcome any challenge that comes our way, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6. By trusting in God's power and provision, we can face our own challenges with faith and confidence, just like the Israelites did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Balak and why was he concerned about the Israelites?
Balak was the son of Zippor and the king of Moab, and he was concerned about the Israelites because of their military victories, as seen in Numbers 22:2 and Deuteronomy 2:26-37. He feared they would destroy his people and his land.
What had the Israelites done to the Amorites that caught Balak's attention?
The Israelites had defeated the Amorites in battle, as described in Numbers 21:21-35, which made Balak realize the Israelites were a powerful and formidable force, similar to how God helped them in Exodus 14:13-14.
Why did Balak's observation of the Israelites' actions against the Amorites matter to the Moabites?
The Moabites were terrified of the Israelites because they saw how powerful and numerous they were, and they feared that the Israelites would destroy them, as stated in Numbers 22:3, much like the fear of God that fell on the nations in Joshua 2:10-11.
How did Balak's perception of the Israelites affect his relationship with the surrounding nations?
Balak's fear of the Israelites led him to seek help from the Midianites, as seen in Numbers 22:4, and eventually to try to curse the Israelites through the prophet Balaam, as described in Numbers 22:5-24, which ultimately backfired and fulfilled God's plan, as seen in Numbers 23:1-24:25.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the lessons of Balak's fear and the Israelites' faith to my own life, especially when facing overwhelming challenges?
- How can I trust in God's power and provision, just as the Israelites did in the wilderness, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be like Balak, trying to rely on my own strength or the help of others, rather than trusting in God's sovereignty and provision?
- How can I remember that God is always with me, just as He was with the Israelites, and that He will help me overcome any challenge that comes my way, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:2
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:2
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. Balak the son of Zippor , [Septuagint, Sepfoor]. "Balak" - i:e., empty. Corbeaux ('Jour. Sac. Lit.,' April, 1852, p.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 22:2
Balak, the son or successor of him whom Sihon had spoiled of part of his kingdom, . Of him see .
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 22:2
2–19. 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 Ẓ ?ippôrah, Moses’ wife. The name may point to early totemistic beliefs (see Frazer, Totemism2, W. R. Smith, Rel. Sem. 2 124 ff.). the Amorites] Og, the king of Bashan, is not mentioned; see on Numbers 21:33-35.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 22:2
Balak the son of Zippor - The comparison of Num 22:4 with Numbers 21:26 suggests that Balak was not the hereditary king but a Midianite, and that a change of dynasty had taken place.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 22:2
2. Balak — “A Waster.” This was the complimentary title of the king of the Moabites. His character is evinced by his actions narrated in this and the two following chapters.