Numbers 22
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ordinances relative to strayed cattle and lost goods, Deu 22:1-3. Humanity to oppressed cattle, Deu 22:4. Men and women shall not wear each other's apparel, Deu 22:5. No bird shall be taken with her nest of eggs or young ones, Deu 22:6, Deu 22:7. Battlements must be made on the roofs of houses, Deu 22:8. Improper mixtures to be avoided, Deu 22:9-11. Fringes on the garments, Deu 22:12. Case of the hated wife, and the tokens of virginity, and the proceedings thereon, Deu 22:13-21. The adulterer and adulteress to be put to death, Deu 22:22. Case of the betrothed damsel corrupted in the city, Deu 22:23, Deu 22:24. Cases of rape and the punishment, Deu 22:25-27; of fornication, Deu 22:28, Deu 22:29. No man shall take his father's wife, Deu 22:30.
Open source ↗BALAK'S FIRST MESSAGE FOR BALAAM REFUSED. (Num. 22:1-20) Israel . . . pitched in the plains of Moab--so called from having formerly belonged to that people, though wrested from them by Sihon. It was a dry, sunken, desert region on the east of the Jordan valley, opposite Jericho.
Open source ↗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, Num 33:48, and pitched in the plains of Moab the part of them they encamped in reached from Bethjesimoth to Abelshittim, Num 33:49, on this side Jordan by Jericho; or Jordan of Jericho, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; a river that flowed near to Jericho, running between the plains of Moab and the plains of Jericho; according to Josephus (u) it was sixty furlongs, or seven miles and a half from Jericho; but, according to Jerome (w), it was but five miles: or rather, as some versions render it, "over against Jericho" (x); for Jericho was on the other side of the river Jordan, and the plains of Moab, or that part of them where Israel now pitched, were right against that city; and so Josephus says (y). (u) Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 4. (w) De locis Heb. fol. 87. G. (x) Sept. "ex opposito Heiricho", Tigurine version. (y) Antiqu. l. 4. c. 6. sect. 1.
Open source ↗After the defeat of the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, and the conquest of their kingdoms in Gilead and Bashan, the Israelites removed from the height of Pisgah, on the mountains of Abarim before Nebo (see at Num 21:20), and encamped in the "Arboth Moab (the steppes of Moab), on the other side of the Jordan of Jericho," i.e., that part of the Jordan which skirted the province of Jericho. Arboth Moab was the name given to that portion of the Arabah, or large plain of the Jordan, the present Ghor (see at Deu 1:1), which belonged to the territory of the Moabites previous to the spread of the Amorites under Sihon in the land to the east of the Jordan, and which probably reached from the Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jabbok. The site of the Israelitish camp is therefore defined with greater minuteness by the clause "beyond the Jordan of Jericho." This place of encampment, which is frequently alluded to (Num 26:3, Num 26:63; Num 31:12; Num 33:48, Num 33:50; Num 35:1; Num 36:13; Jos 13:32), extended, according to Num 33:49, from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim. Beth-jeshimoth (i.e., house of wastes), on the north-eastern desert border (Jeishimon, Num 21:20) of the Dead Sea, a town allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Jos 12:3; Jos 13:20), was situated, according to the Onom. (s. v.Beethasimou'th, Bethsimuth), ten Roman miles, or four hours, to the south (S.E.) of Jericho, on the Dead Sea; according to Josephus (bell. jud. iv. 7, 6), it was to the south of Julias (Livias), i.e., Beth-haram, or Rameh, on the northern edge of the Wady Hesban (see at Num 32:36), or in the Ghor el Seisabn, on the northern coast of the Dead Sea, and the southern end of the plain of the Jordan. Abel Shittim (השּׁטּים אבל), i.e., the acacia-meadow, or, in its briefer form, Shittim (Num 35:1), was situated…
Open source ↗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 given to Israel not to contend with the Moabites, nor to use any hostility against them, Deu 2:9. But, if they had any notice of this, they were jealous that it was but a sham, to make them secure, that they might be the more easily conquered. Notwithstanding the old friendship between Abraham and Lot, the Moabites resolved to ruin Israel if they could, and therefore they will take it for granted, without any ground for the suspicion, that Israel resolves to ruin them. Thus it is common for those that design mischief to pretend that mischief is designed against them; and their groundless jealousies must be the colour of their causeless malice. They hear of their triumphs over the Amorites (Num 22:2), and think that their own house is in danger when their neighbour's is on fire. They observe their multitudes (Num 22:3): They were many; and hence infer how easily they would conquer their country, and all about them if some speedy and effectual course were not taken to stop the progress of their victorious arms: "They shall lick up or devour us, and all that are round about us, as speedily and irresistibly as the ox eats up the grass" (Num 22:4), owning themselves to be an unequal match for so formidable an enemy. Therefore they were sorely afraid and distressed themselves; thus were the wi…
Open source ↗22:1 Following their victories over the Amorite kingdoms (21:21-35 and study note), Israel took up residence in the plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan Valley, northeast of the Dead Sea and across the river from the oasis of Jericho. The Hebrews camped there until they crossed the Jordan to enter Canaan (Josh 3:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗בָּלָק (Bâlâq, H1111) — Balak, a Moabitish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צִפּוֹר (Tsippôwr, H6834) — Tsippor, a Moabite רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes
Open source ↗מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) קוּץ (qûwts, H6973) — to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) לָחַךְ (lâchak, H3897) — to lick סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) יֶרֶק (yereq, H3418) — properly, pallor, i.e. hence, the yellowish green of young and sickly vegetation;… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) בָּלָק (Bâlâq, H1111) — Balak, a Moabitish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צִפּוֹר (Tsippôwr, H6834) — Tsippor, a Moabite מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּעוֹר (Bᵉʻôwr, H1160) — Beor, the name of the father of an Edomitish king; also of that of Balaam פְּתוֹר (Pᵉthôwr, H6604) — Pethor, a place in Mesopotamia נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָרַר (ʼârar, H779) — to execrate עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קֶסֶם (qeçem, H7081) — a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause בָּלָק (Bâlâq, H1111) — Balak, a Moabitish king
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לוּן (lûwn, H3885) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively)
Open source ↗בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּלָק (Bâlâq, H1111) — Balak, a Moabitish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צִפּוֹר (Tsippôwr, H6834) — Tsippor, a Moabite מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קָבַב (qâbab, H6895) — to scoop out, i.e. (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e. stab with words) יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָרַר (ʼârar, H779) — to execrate עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) בָּלָק (Bâlâq, H1111) — Balak, a Moabitish king יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3985) — to refuse נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בָּלָק (Bâlâq, H1111) — Balak, a Moabitish king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3985) — to refuse הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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At that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites the land across the Jordan, from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon—
These are the commandments and ordinances that the LORD gave the Israelites through Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead as far as Dan,
and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.
The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.
On the east side of the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying:
Yet we will not have an inheritance with them across the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”
These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”