Bible Strands
Numbers 22:11
‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Balak speaks to Balaam immediately after delivering his initial summons (Numbers 22:10) and before God issues his prohibition (Numbers 22:12).
The words — וַ/יְכַ֖ס (va/y.Khas) means “and it has covered,” working directly with עֵ֣ין הָ/אָ֑רֶץ ('ein ha.'A.retz) to render “the eye of the land.”
The thread — The verse records Balak’s tactical request for a prophetic curse to offset a demographic threat, advancing the immediate Numbers 22 narrative of Moabite anxiety and Balaam’s mediation.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human strategy relies on supernatural reversal, leaving the actual outcome to divine declaration rather than military calculation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.