Numbers 22:11

Verse

‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”

American Standard Version (1901)

Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.

Bible in Basic English

See, the people who have come out of Egypt are covering all the earth: now, put a curse on this people for me, so that I may be able to make war on them, driving them out of the land.

Free Bible Version

‘Listen, a group of people has arrived here who came from Egypt. There are hordes of them. Please come immediately and curse these people for me. Maybe then I'll be able to fight them and drive them out of my country.’”

King James (Authorized) Version

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

One Unity Resource Bible

‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt [Abode of slavery] covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse me them. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’”

Translation for Translators

‘A huge group of people has come from Egypt, and they have spread all over this area. Please come immediately to curse them. Then I may be able to defeat them and expel them from this area.’”

Unlocked Literal Bible

'Look, the people who have come from Egypt cover the surface of my land. Now come and curse them for me. Perhaps I will manage to fight them and drive them out.'”

Noah Webster Bible

Behold, there has a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse them for me: it may be I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

World English Bible

‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’”

Young's Literal Translation

Lo, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covereth the eye of the land, — now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it, and have cast it out;'

Context

Balak Summons Balaam

¹⁰And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:¹¹‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”

Summary

In this verse, Balak, the king of Moab, expresses his fear and concern to the elders of Midian about the Israelites who were numerous and encamped near his territory. Balak's anxiety stemmed from the Israelites' victories over other nations, leading him to seek the help of Balaam, a diviner, to curse the Israelites. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding story of Balaam and his interactions with God regarding the fate of the Israelites, showcasing the power struggle between earthly kings and the divine will of God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Balaam rose up in the morning,.... With the impression of the dream upon his mind, and of what had passed between God and him in it: and said unto the princes of Balak; which shows what the elders were that were sent, of what honour and dignity, and may include both those of Moab and of Midian: get you into your land; as soon as you can; set forward on your journey, it is to no purpose to stay here: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you; he only relates one part of the answer he had from the Lord, respecting his going with them, but says not a word of his being forbid to curse Israel, and of the reason given why he should not; had he reported this, in all probability it would have prevented any further application to him, and so any attempt to get this done, which Balaam seemed aware of; and therefore, by concealing this, hoped for fresh solicitations and entreaties, and that in time the Lord might be prevailed on to let him go and curse them; he having a covetous desire of riches, honour, and preferment, in Balak's court.