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.

² And Balak [the king of Moab] the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. ³ So Moab was terrified because of the people, for they were numerous. Moab was overcome with fear because of the sons of Israel. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ 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.”

⁷ 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.