Numbers 22:5
New English Translation
5 And he sent messengers to Balaam[a] son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates River[b] in the land of Amaw,[c] to summon him, saying, “Look, a nation has come out of Egypt. They cover the face[d] of the earth, and they are settling next to me.
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- Numbers 22:5 sn There is much literature on pagan diviners and especially prophecy in places in the east like Mari (see, for example, H. B. Huffmon, “Prophecy in the Mari Letters,” BA 31 [1968]: 101-24). Balaam appears to be a pagan diviner who was of some reputation; he was called to curse the Israelites, but God intervened and gave him blessings only. The passage forms a nice complement to texts that deal with blessings and curses. It shows that no one can curse someone whom God has blessed.
- Numbers 22:5 tn Heb “by the river”; in most contexts this expression refers to the Euphrates River (cf. NAB, NCV, NRSV, TEV, CEV, NLT).
- Numbers 22:5 tn Heb “in the land of Amaw” (cf. NAB, NRSV, TEV); traditionally “in the land of the sons of his people.” The LXX has “by the river of the land.”
- Numbers 22:5 tn Heb “eye.” So also in v. 11.
Numbers 22:5
New King James Version
5 Then (A)he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at (B)Pethor, which is near [a]the River in the land of [b]the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!
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- Numbers 22:5 The Euphrates
- Numbers 22:5 Or the people of Amau
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