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4 Moseboken 22
Svenska Folkbibeln 2015
4 Moseboken 22
Svenska Folkbibeln 2015
Moabs kung skickar efter Bileam
22 Israels barn bröt upp och slog läger på Moabs hedar[a], på andra sidan Jordan mitt emot Jeriko.
2 Balak, Sippors son, såg allt som Israel hade gjort mot amoreerna. 3 Och Moab var rädda för folket därför att det var så talrikt. Moab gruvade sig för Israels barn 4 och sade till de äldste i Midjan: ”Nu kommer denna skara att äta upp allt omkring oss, liksom oxen äter upp gräset på marken.”
På den tiden var Balak, Sippors son, kung i Moab. 5 (A) Han skickade sändebud till Bileam, Beors son[b], i Petor[c] vid floden där hans folk bodde för att kalla honom till sig, och han lät säga: ”Nu har ett folk dragit ut ur Egypten, det täcker markens yta och har slagit sig ner mitt emot mig. 6 Kom nu därför och förbanna det folket åt mig, för det är starkare än jag. Kanske kan jag då slå det och driva bort det ur landet. Jag vet ju att den du välsignar är välsignad, och den du förbannar är förbannad.”
7 (B) De äldste i Moab och de äldste i Midjan gav sig i väg och hade med sig spådomslön. De kom till Bileam och framförde till honom vad Balak hade sagt. 8 Bileam sade till dem: ”Stanna här över natten, så ska jag komma tillbaka till er med de ord som Herren talar till mig.” Då stannade Moabs hövdingar kvar hos Bileam.
9 Och Gud kom till Bileam och sade: ”Vilka är de män du har hos dig?” 10 Bileam svarade Gud: ”Balak, Sippors son, kung av Moab, har sänt mig detta bud: 11 Nu har ett folk dragit ut ur Egypten, och det täcker markens yta. Kom nu och förbanna det åt mig. Kanske kan jag då strida mot det och driva bort det.”
12 Men Gud sade till Bileam: ”Du ska inte gå med dem. Du ska inte förbanna detta folk, för det är välsignat.” 13 När Bileam steg upp på morgonen, sade han till Balaks hövdingar: ”Gå hem till ert land, för Herren tillåter mig inte att följa med er.” 14 Då återvände Moabs hövdingar till Balak och sade: ”Bileam vägrar att följa med oss.”
15 Men Balak skickade återigen hövdingar, fler och av högre rang än de förra. 16 De kom till Bileam och sade till honom: ”Så säger Balak, Sippors son: Låt ingenting hindra dig från att komma till mig, 17 för jag vill visa dig mycket stor ära, och allt du säger till mig ska jag göra. Kom nu och förbanna det folket åt mig.” 18 (C) Bileam svarade Balaks tjänare: ”Även om Balak skulle ge mig så mycket silver och guld som hans palats rymmer, kan jag inte överträda Herren min Guds befallning, vare sig i smått eller stort. 19 Men stanna också ni kvar här över natten, så att jag får reda på vad Herren mer har att säga mig.”
20 Om natten kom Gud till Bileam och sade till honom: ”Om männen har kommit för att kalla på dig, så bryt upp och följ med dem. Men du ska endast göra det som jag säger dig.” 21 Och Bileam steg upp på morgonen, sadlade sitt åsnesto och följde med Moabs hövdingar.
Bileams åsna och ängeln
22 Men då han nu följde med dem upptändes Guds vrede, och Herrens ängel ställde sig på vägen för att hindra honom. Bileam red på sin åsna och två av hans tjänare var med honom. 23 När åsnan fick se Herrens ängel stå på vägen med ett draget svärd i handen, vek hon av från vägen och gick ut på åkern. Men Bileam slog åsnan för att driva henne tillbaka in på vägen.
24 Herrens ängel ställde sig då på en trång väg mellan vingårdarna, med murar på båda sidor. 25 Åsnan såg Herrens ängel och trängde sig mot muren och klämde Bileams fot mot muren, och han slog henne ännu en gång.
26 Herrens ängel gick åter längre fram och ställde sig på ett trångt ställe, där det inte fanns någon möjlighet att vika undan vare sig åt höger eller vänster. 27 När åsnan nu fick se Herrens ängel, lade hon sig ner under Bileam. Bileam blev arg och slog åsnan med staven.
28 Då öppnade Herren åsnans mun, och hon sade till Bileam: ”Vad har jag gjort mot dig, eftersom du tre gånger har slagit mig?” 29 Bileam svarade åsnan: ”Du har gjort mig till åtlöje! Hade jag haft ett svärd i handen skulle jag nu ha dödat dig.”
30 Men åsninnan sade till Bileam: ”Är inte jag din egen åsna som du ridit på i hela ditt liv ända tills idag? Har jag någonsin förut brukat göra så mot dig?” Han svarade: ”Nej.”
31 Då öppnade Herren Bileams ögon, så att han såg Herrens ängel stå på vägen med ett draget svärd i handen. Och han bugade sig och föll ner på sitt ansikte. 32 Herrens ängel sade till honom: ”Varför har du dessa tre gånger slagit din åsna? Se, jag har gått ut för att hindra dig, för jag ser att den här vägen leder till fördärvet. 33 Åsnan såg mig och har dessa tre gånger vikit undan för mig. Hade hon inte vikit undan för mig, skulle jag nu i sanning ha dödat dig men låtit henne leva.” 34 Då sade Bileam till Herrens ängel: ”Jag har syndat, för jag visste inte att det var du som stod mig emot på vägen. Om det jag gör är orätt i dina ögon, så vill jag vända tillbaka.”
35 Men Herrens ängel svarade Bileam: ”Följ med männen, men endast de ord jag säger till dig får du tala.” Och Bileam följde med Balaks hövdingar.
36 När Balak hörde att Bileam var på väg, gick han för att möta honom vid den stad i Moab som ligger i Arnondalen och utgör den yttersta gränsen. 37 Och Balak sade till Bileam: ”Sände jag inte enträget bud till dig för att kalla hit dig? Varför ville du inte komma till mig? Skulle jag inte kunna visa dig ära?” 38 Bileam svarade Balak: ”Se, jag har nu kommit till dig. Men kan jag överhuvudtaget säga något? Vad Gud lägger i min mun, det måste jag säga.” 39 Sedan följde Bileam med Balak, och de kom till Kirjat-Husot. 40 Där offrade Balak oxar och får och sände av det till Bileam och de hövdingar som var med honom.
41 Balak tog nästa morgon Bileam med sig och förde honom upp på Bamot-Baal[d]. Från den platsen kunde han se en del av folket.
Footnotes
- 22:1 Moabs hedar Nordöstra kanten av Döda havet, framme vid gränsen till Kanaans land. Här stannade israeliterna tills de gick över Jordan och intog landet (se Josua bok). Moab låg längs Döda havets östkust, Midjan längre söderut.
- 22:5 Bileam, Beors son Bileam (hebr. för ”slukar folk”) var en hednisk profet som uttalade Herrens ord (kap 23-24) men också förledde folket till otukt (31:16, 2 Petr 2:15f, Upp 2:14). Ett domsbudskap som uppges vara uttalat av Bileam har hittats på en inskription från ca 800-talet f Kr i Deir Alla, strax norr om Moabs område.
- 22:5 Petor Låg troligen vid floden Eufrat i norra Syrien (”Aram”, 23:7), över 60 mil norrut.
- 22:41 Bamot-Baal Betyder ”Baals offerhöjd” (jfr Jer 19:5), berg någonstans i norra Moab.
Numbers 22
English Standard Version
Numbers 22
English Standard Version
Balak Summons Balaam
22 Then (A)the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. 2 And (B)Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And (C)Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. 4 And Moab said to (D)the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 (E)sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor (F)at Pethor, which is near the River[a] in the land of the people of Amaw,[b] to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. 6 (G)Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
7 So the elders of Moab and (H)the elders of Midian departed with (I)the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak's message. 8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 (J)And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for (K)they are blessed.” 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14 So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
15 Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, 17 (L)for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. (M)Come, curse this people for me.’” 18 But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, (N)“Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, (O)I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more. 19 So you, too, (P)please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.” 20 (Q)And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; (R)but only do what I tell you.” 21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.
Balaam's Donkey and the Angel
22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, (S)and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way (T)as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way 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. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord (U)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 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” 30 And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”
31 Then the Lord (V)opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out (W)to oppose you because your way is perverse[c] before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, (X)“I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.” 35 And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, (Y)but speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, (Z)on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. 37 And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to (AA)honor you?” 38 Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? (AB)The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” 39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.
41 And in the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw a fraction of the people.
Footnotes
- Numbers 22:5 That is, the Euphrates
- Numbers 22:5 Or the people of his kindred
- Numbers 22:32 Or reckless
Numbers 22
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Numbers 22
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
22 The Israelites journeyed and encamped in the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan [River] at Jericho.
2 And Balak [the king of Moab] son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 And Moab was terrified at the people and full of dread, because they were many. Moab was distressed and overcome with fear because of the Israelites.
4 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. So Balak son of Zippor, the king of the Moabites at that time,
5 Sent messengers to Balaam [a foreteller of events] son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the [Euphrates] River, even to the land of the children of his people, to say to him, There is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth and they have settled down and dwell opposite me.
6 Now come, I beg of you, curse this people for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.
7 And the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with the rewards of foretelling in their hands; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.
8 And he said to them, Lodge here tonight and I will bring you word as the Lord may speak to me. And the princes of Moab abode with Balaam [that night].
9 And God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with you?
10 And Balaam said to God, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
11 Behold, the people who came out of Egypt cover the face of the earth; come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.
12 And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go back to your own land, for the Lord refuses to permit me to go with you.
14 So the princes of Moab rose up and went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
15 Then Balak again sent princes, more of them and more honorable than the first ones.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak son of Zippor, I beg of you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me.
17 For I will promote you to very great honor and I will do whatever you tell me; so come, I beg of you, curse this people for me.
18 And Balaam answered the servants of Balak, 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 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry here again tonight that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.
20 And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the [a]Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way.
24 But the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against it, and he struck her again.
26 And the Angel of the Lord went further and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam, and Balaam’s anger was kindled and he struck the donkey 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 should strike me these three times?
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have ridiculed and provoked me! I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!
30 And the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life long until this day? Was I ever 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 sword drawn in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell on his face.
32 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? See, I came out to stand against and resist you, for your behavior is willfully obstinate and contrary before Me.
33 And the ass saw Me and turned from Me these three times. If she had not turned from Me, surely I would have slain you and saved her alive.
34 Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. But now, if my going displeases You, I will return.
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 with the princes of Balak.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab on the border formed by the Arnon [River], at the farthest end of the boundary.
37 Balak said to Balaam, Did I not [earnestly] send to you to ask you [to come] to me? Why did you not come? Am not I able to promote you to honor?
38 And Balaam said to Balak, Indeed I have come to you, but do I now have any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent [portions] to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.
41 And on the following day Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Bamoth-baal; from there he saw the nearest of the Israelites.
Footnotes
- Numbers 22:22 See footnote on Gen. 16:7.
Numbers 22
New International Version
Numbers 22
New International Version
Balak Summons Balaam
22 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab(A) and camped along the Jordan(B) across from Jericho.(C)
2 Now Balak son of Zippor(D) saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread(E) because of the Israelites.
4 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, 5 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. 6 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.”
7 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.
8 “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.
9 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
- Numbers 22:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
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