摩押王召巴兰

22 以色列人继续前行,抵达约旦河东岸的摩押平原,在耶利哥对面安营。 西拨的儿子摩押王巴勒及其人民得知以色列人杀败了亚摩利人, 又见他们人多势众,都惊恐万状, 对米甸的长老说:“这群人将吞掉我们周围的一切,如同牛吃光田间的草一样。”那时,西拨的儿子巴勒做摩押王。 他差遣使者到幼发拉底河附近的毗夺——比珥的儿子巴兰的家乡,去召巴兰。他让使者带去的信息是:“有一个民族从埃及铺天盖地而来,就住在我对面。 他们比我强大,求你为我咒诅他们。这样,我也许就能击败他们,把他们赶走。我知道你祝福谁,谁就蒙福;你咒诅谁,谁就遭祸。”

摩押和米甸的长老们带着占卜的礼金去见巴兰,把巴勒的话转告他。 巴兰说:“你们今夜住在这里,我必照耶和华的旨意回复你们。”摩押的使臣就在巴兰那里住下。 晚上,上帝来问巴兰:“住在你这里的是谁?” 10 巴兰回答说:“他们是摩押王西拨的儿子巴勒派来的使臣, 11 前来告诉我说,‘有一个民族从埃及铺天盖地而来。请你去咒诅那民族,这样巴勒王或许能击败他们,把他们赶走。’” 12 上帝对巴兰说:“你不可跟他们去,也不可咒诅那民族,因为那民族是蒙福的。”

13 第二天清早,巴兰对巴勒的使臣说:“你们回去吧,耶和华不准我跟你们去。” 14 摩押的使臣回去对巴勒说:“巴兰不肯跟我们来。” 15 巴勒又派去更多、更尊贵的使臣。 16 他们到了巴兰那里,对他说:“西拨的儿子巴勒请你务必去一趟, 17 他必有重赏。你要什么都可以,只求你去为他咒诅那民族。” 18 巴兰回答说:“巴勒就是把他满屋的金银都给我,我也不能在任何事上违背我的上帝耶和华的命令。 19 你们可以在这里过夜,看看耶和华对我还有什么吩咐。” 20 当夜,上帝来对巴兰说:“这些人既然来请你,你就跟他们去吧,但你只可照我说的做。” 21 巴兰清早起来,备好驴,跟摩押的使臣去了。

上帝拦阻巴兰

22 巴兰这一去,激怒了上帝。巴兰骑着驴,带着两个仆人正走在途中,耶和华的天使拦住他的去路。 23 驴看见耶和华的天使持刀拦在路上,就离开大路,跑进田间。巴兰鞭打它,要它回到路上。 24 耶和华的天使又站在葡萄园之间的一条窄路上,两边都是墙。 25 驴看见耶和华的天使,就靠着墙边走,将巴兰的脚挤伤了。巴兰又鞭打它。 26 耶和华的天使又走到前面,站在狭窄之处,两边都无侧身通过的余地。 27 驴看见耶和华的天使,就卧在地上,巴兰大怒,便用杖打它。 28 耶和华使驴开口对巴兰说:“我做错了什么,你竟打我三次!” 29 巴兰说:“因为你戏弄我。如果我手中有刀,早就把你宰了!” 30 驴对巴兰说:“我是你从小就骑的驴,我可曾这样对你?”巴兰说:“没有。”

31 那时,耶和华开了巴兰的眼,他才看见耶和华的天使持刀拦在路上,便俯伏在地。 32 耶和华的天使对他说:“你为何三次打你的驴?我特意来阻挡你,因为你走的路在我眼中是邪路。 33 你的驴看见我,一连躲避了三次,驴若没有躲开,我早已杀了你,只放过驴。” 34 巴兰对耶和华的天使说:“我有罪了,我不知道是你拦在路上。如果你反对我去,我就回去。” 35 耶和华的天使说:“跟这些人去吧,但你只许按我的指示说话。”于是,巴兰跟巴勒的使臣去了。

36 巴勒听见巴兰来了,就来到边界尽头、亚嫩河边的摩押城迎接他。 37 巴勒对巴兰说:“上次派人请你,你为何不肯来?难道我不能给你重赏吗?” 38 巴兰说:“现在我已经来了,但我不能随便发言,只能按上帝的指示说话。” 39 巴兰和巴勒一同来到基列·胡琐。 40 巴勒宰牛杀羊赏给巴兰和随行的臣仆。 41 次日清晨,巴勒领巴兰上到巴力巴末[a],从那里可以看到一部分以色列人。

Footnotes

  1. 22:41 巴力巴末”希伯来文是“巴力的高岗”之意。

Balak Sends for Balaam

22 The Israelites journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan [River] across from Jericho.

And Balak [the king of Moab] the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. So Moab was terrified because of the people, for they were numerous. Moab was overcome with fear because of the sons of Israel. Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, just as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was the king of Moab at that time. So he sent messengers to [a]Balaam [a famous prophet-diviner] the son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, in the land of the descendants of his people, to call for him, saying, “There is a people who have come out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. Now please come, curse these people for me, for they are too powerful for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know [your reputation] that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

So the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with fees for divination (foretelling) in hand; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak. Balaam said to them, “Spend the night here and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.” So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam [that night]. God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me: 11 ‘Hear this, the people who came out of Egypt cover the surface of the land; come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people [of Israel], for they are blessed.” 13 Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the leaders of Balak, “Go back to your own land [of Moab], for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15 Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and [men who were] more distinguished than the first ones. 16 They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘I beg you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me. 17 For I will give you a very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so please come, curse these people [of Israel] for me.’” 18 Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God. 19 Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will say to me.” 20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, get up and go with them, but you shall still do only what I tell you.”

21 So Balaam got up in the morning and [b]saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.

The Angel and Balaam

22 But God’s anger was kindled because [c]he was going, and the [d]Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His drawn sword in His hand, the donkey turned off the path and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back toward the path. 24 But the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a [stone] wall on this side and a [stone] wall on that side. 25 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pressed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against it, and he struck her again. 26 The Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, so Balaam was angry and he struck the donkey [a third time] with his staff. 28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?” 29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now!” 30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life until this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and lay himself face down. 32 The Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your behavior was obstinate and contrary to Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have certainly killed you now, and let her live.” 34 Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will turn back.” 35 The Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon [River], at the farthest end of the border. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send word to you to call you? Why did you not come to me [immediately]? Am I really unable to honor (pay) you?” 38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Indeed I have come to you now, but am I able to say anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and to the leaders who were with him.

41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal; from there he saw a portion of the Israelites.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 22:5 Balaam had some awareness and knowledge regarding the true God, but he abused the office of prophet.
  2. Numbers 22:21 The ancient rabbis saw in this action an indication that Balaam was eager to go with the messengers, because it was not considered appropriate for a man of importance to saddle his own mount.
  3. Numbers 22:22 Balaam went with God’s permission, but his motives were in opposition to God’s will.
  4. Numbers 22:22 “Angel” has been capitalized here to reflect the likelihood that it is God appearing in a visible form (see note Gen 16:7).

22 5 King Balak sendeth for Balaam to curse the Israelites. 12 The Lord forbiddeth him to go. 22 The Angel of the Lord meeteth him, and his ass speaketh. 38 Balaam protesteth that he will speak nothing, but that which the Lord putteth in his mouth.

After, the children of Israel departed and pitched in the plain of Moab on the [a]other side of Jordan from Jericho.

¶ Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

And the Moabites were sore afraid of the people, because they were many, and Moab [b]fretted against the children of Israel.

Therefore Moab said unto the [c]Elders of Midian, Now shall this multitude lick up all that are round about us, as an ox licketh up the grass of the field: and Balak the son of Zippor was King of the Moabites at that time.

(A)He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor (which is by the [d]river of the land of the children of his folk) to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which cover the face of the earth, and lie over against me.

Come now therefore, I pray thee, and curse me this people (for they are stronger than I) so it may be that I shall be able to smite them, and to drive them out of the land: for I know that he, whom thou blessest, is blessed, and he whom thou cursest, shall be cursed.

And the Elders of Moab, and the Elders of Midian departed, having [e]the reward of the soothsaying in their hand, and they came unto Balaam, and told him the words of Balak.

Who answered them, Tarry here this night, and I will give you an answer, as the Lord shall say unto me. So [f]the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

Then God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

10 And Baalam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor king of Moab hath sent unto me, saying,

11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, and covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse them for my sake: so it may be that I shall be able to overcome them in battle, and to drive them out.

12 And God [g]said unto Balaam, Go not thou with them, neither curse the people, for they are blessed.

13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Return unto your land: for the Lord hath refused to give [h]me leave to go with you.

14 So the princes of Moab rose up, and went unto Balak, and said, Balaam hath refused to come with us.

15 Balak yet sent again more princes, and more honorable than they,

16 Who came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, [i]Be not thou stayed, I pray thee, from coming unto me.

17 For I will promote thee unto great honor, and will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

18 And Balaam answered, and said unto the servants of Balak, (B)If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.

19 But now, I pray you, tarry here this night, that I may wit, what the Lord will say unto me [j]more.

20 And God came unto Balaam by night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them: but only what thing I say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

21 So Balaam rose up early, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

22 And the wrath of God was kindled, because he [k]went: and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way to be against him, as he rode upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And (C)when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord stand in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, the ass turned out of the way, and went into the field, but Balaam smote the ass to turn her into the way.

24 [l]Again the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, having a wall on the one side, and a wall on the other.

25 And when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and dashed Balaam’s foot against the wall: wherefore he smote her again.

26 Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn, either to the right hand, or to the left.

27 And when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord, she [m]lay down under Balaam: therefore Balaam was very wroth, and smote the ass with a staff.

28 Then the Lord [n]opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me now three times?

29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, which thou hast ridden upon [o]since thy first time unto this day? have I used at any time, to do thus unto thee? Who said, Nay.

31 And the Lord [p]opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand: then he bowed himself, and fell flat on his face.

32 And the Angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou now smitten thine ass three times? behold, I came out to withstand thee, because thy [q]way is not straight before me.

33 But the ass saw me, and turned from me now three times: for else, if she had not turned from me, surely I had even now slain thee, and saved her alive.

34 Then Balaam said unto the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned: for I wist not that thou stoodest in the way [r]against me: now therefore if it displease thee, I will turn [s]home again.

35 But the Angel said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but [t]what I say unto thee, that shalt thou speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36 And when Balak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the [u]border of Arnon, even in the utmost coast.

37 Then Balak said unto Balaam, Did not I send for thee to call thee? Wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee unto honor?

38 And Balaam made answer unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee, and can I now say [v]anything at all? the word that God putteth in my mouth that shall I speak.

39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto the city of [w]Huzoth.

40 Then Balak offered bullocks, and sheep, and sent thereof to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

41 And on the morrow Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of [x]Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 22:1 Being at Jericho, it was beyond Jordan: but where the Israelites were, it was on this side.
  2. Numbers 22:3 Or, was vexed.
  3. Numbers 22:4 Which were the heads and governors.
  4. Numbers 22:5 To wit, Euphrates, upon the which stood this city Pethor.
  5. Numbers 22:7 Thinking to bribe him with gifts to curse the Israelites.
  6. Numbers 22:8 Whom before he called Elders: meaning the governors, and after calleth them servants: that is, subjects to their king.
  7. Numbers 22:12 He warned him by a dream, that he should not consent to the king’s wicked request.
  8. Numbers 22:13 Else he showed himself willing, covetousness had so blinded his heart.
  9. Numbers 22:16 The wicked seek by all means to further their naughty enterprises, though they know that God is against them.
  10. Numbers 22:19 Because he tempted God to require him contrary to his commandment, his petition was granted, but it turned to his own condemnation.
  11. Numbers 22:22 Moved rather with covetousness than to obey God.
  12. Numbers 22:24 The second time.
  13. Numbers 22:27 Or, fell.
  14. Numbers 22:28 Gave her power to speak.
  15. Numbers 22:30 Since thou hast been my master.
  16. Numbers 22:31 For whose eyes the Lord doth not open, they can neither see his anger, nor his love.
  17. Numbers 22:32 Both thy heart is corrupt, and thine enterprise wicked.
  18. Numbers 22:34 Or, before me, or to meet me.
  19. Numbers 22:34 Hebrew, I will return to me.
  20. Numbers 22:35 Because his heart was evil, his charge was renewed, that he should not pretend ignorance.
  21. Numbers 22:36 Near the place where the Israelites camped.
  22. Numbers 22:38 Of myself I can speak nothing: only what God revealeth, that will I utter, seem it good or bad.
  23. Numbers 22:39 Or, of streets: or, a populous city.
  24. Numbers 22:41 Where the idol Baal was worshipped.

Balak Summons Balaam

22 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab(A) and camped along the Jordan(B) across from Jericho.(C)

Now Balak son of Zippor(D) saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread(E) because of the Israelites.

The Moabites(F) said to the elders of Midian,(G) “This horde is going to lick up everything(H) around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.(I)

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor,(J) who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River,(K) in his native land. Balak said:

“A people has come out of Egypt;(L) they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse(M) 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.(N) For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination.(O) When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

“Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.(P)” So the Moabite officials stayed with him.

God came to Balaam(Q) and asked,(R) “Who are these men with you?”

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

12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.(S)

13 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

14 So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15 Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. 16 They came to Balaam and said:

“This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, 17 because I will reward you handsomely(T) and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse(U) on these people for me.”

18 But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.(V) 19 Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the Lord will tell me.(W)

20 That night God came to Balaam(X) and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”(Y)

Balaam’s Donkey

21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was very angry(Z) when he went, and the angel of the Lord(AA) stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword(AB) in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it(AC) to get it back on the road.

24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.

26 Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry(AD) and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth,(AE) and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?(AF)

29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.(AG)

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”

“No,” he said.

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes,(AH) and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.[a] 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now,(AI) but I would have spared it.”

34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned.(AJ) I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”

35 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.

36 When Balak(AK) heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon(AL) border, at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?”

38 “Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”(AM)

39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep,(AN) and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal,(AO) and from there he could see the outskirts of the Israelite camp.(AP)

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 22:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.