22 The people of Israel now traveled to the plains of Moab and camped east of the Jordan River opposite Jericho. ^2-3 When King Balak of Moab (the son of Zippor) realized how many of them there were, and when he learned what they had done to the Amorites, he and his people were terrified. ⁴ They quickly consulted with the leaders of Midian.

“This mob will eat us like an ox eats grass,” they exclaimed.

So King Balak ^5-6 sent messengers to Balaam (son of Beor) who was living in his native land of Pethor, near the Euphrates River. He begged Balaam to come and help him.

“A vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth and are headed toward me,” he frantically explained. “Please come and curse them for me, so that I can drive them out of my land; for I know what fantastic blessings fall on those whom you bless, and I also know that those whom you curse are doomed.”