Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
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. 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.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
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. 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.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Moab was much afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Moab was very afraid of the people, because they were many. Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And in Moab there was great fear of the people, because their numbers were so great: and the feeling of Moab was bitter against the children of Israel.