Bible Strands
Numbers 22:4
So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Moabites speak to the elders of Midian after witnessing the Israelite camp's approach. This conversation follows Moab's terror at the people's numbers and precedes Balak's direct summons of Balaam.
The words — The Hebrew יְלַחֲכ֤וּ (ye.la.cha.Khu) literally means "they will lick up," describing the horde's consumption of surroundings like an ox devouring field grass. הַ/קָּהָל (ha./ka.Hal) translates as "the company" or "the horde," identifying the advancing Israelite host.
The thread — The same Midianite leadership appears in Numbers 25:15 as Cozbi’s tribal family and in Numbers 31:8 among the five kings slain with Balaam. The shared fear of this combined force reappears in Numbers 22:5 when Balak describes the people covering the land.
Why it lands — The verse records a political assessment of military threat rather than a theological declaration. It requires the reader to observe how human alliances form in direct response to perceived existential danger.
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
And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
Cross-references
- Numbers 25:15 And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family.
- Numbers 31:8 Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
- Numbers 22:2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
- Numbers 22:7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- Joshua 13:21 all the cities of the plateau and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon until Moses killed him and the chiefs of Midian (Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba), the princes of Sihon who lived in the land.
- Judges 11:25 Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?
- Jeremiah 48:38 On all the rooftops of Moab and in the public squares, everyone is mourning; for I have shattered Moab like an unwanted jar,” declares the LORD.