Numbers 22:11
New International Version
A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.’”

New Living Translation
‘Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come and curse these people for me. Then perhaps I will be able to stand up to them and drive them from the land.’”

English Standard Version
‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”

Berean Standard Bible
‘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.’”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”

NASB 1995
‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”

NASB 1977
‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them, and drive them out.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”

Amplified Bible
‘Hear this, the people who came out of Egypt cover the surface of the land; come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”

Christian Standard Bible
‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”

American Standard Version
Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.

Contemporary English Version
to ask me to go to Moab and put a curse on the people who have come there from Egypt. They have settled everywhere around him, and he wants to run them off."

English Revised Version
Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'Some people have just come from Egypt and are spreading out all over the countryside. Now come and curse them for me. Maybe I'll be able to fight them and force them out.'"

Good News Translation
that a people who came from Egypt has spread out over the whole land. He wants me to curse them for him, so that he can fight them and drive them out."

International Standard Version
Look! A group of people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth! So come right now and curse them for me. Perhaps I'll be able to fight against them and drive them out.'"

Majority Standard Bible
?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.??

NET Bible
"Look, a nation has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Come now and put a curse on them for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out."

New Heart English Bible
'Look, this people has come out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, there has a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse them for me: it may be I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

World English Bible
‘Behold, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covers the eye of the land—now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it and have cast it out”;

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, the people that is coming out from Egypt and covereth the eye of the land, -- now come, pierce it for me; it may be I am able to fight against it, and have cast it out;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, the people came forth out of Egypt, and it will cover the eye of the earth: now come curse him to me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against him and I drove him out.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Saying: Behold a people that is come out of Egypt, hath covered the face of the land: come and curse them, if by any means I may fight with them and drive them away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
saying: ‘Behold, a people, which has gone forth from Egypt, has covered the face of the earth. Come and curse them, so that, in some way, I may be able to fight them and drive them away.’ ”

New American Bible
‘This people that has come out of Egypt has covered up the earth. Now come, lay a curse on them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight them and drive them out.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
‘A people has come out of Egypt and has spread over the face of the earth; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt who cover the face of the earth; come now, and curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and destroy them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
‘Behold a people went out from Egypt and cover the face of the land; now come curse it for me; doubtless I am able to fight with it and I shall destroy it.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth; now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, a people has come forth out of Egypt, and has covered the face of the land, and it has encamped near to me; and now come, curse it for me, if indeed I shall be able to smite it, and cast it out of the land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balak Summons Balaam
10And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 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.’” 12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 23:4-5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Nehemiah 13:2
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

Micah 6:5
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

2 Peter 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. / But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Numbers 23:7-8
And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ / How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?

Numbers 24:10
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

Proverbs 26:2
Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Ezekiel 13:9
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covers the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

able to overcome them.

Jump to Previous
Able Cast Cover Covereth Covering Covers Curse Drive Driving Earth Egypt Eye Overcome Peradventure Perhaps Pierce Surface War
Jump to Next
Able Cast Cover Covereth Covering Covers Curse Drive Driving Earth Egypt Eye Overcome Peradventure Perhaps Pierce Surface War
Numbers 22
1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. His second message obtains him
22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey
36. Balak entertains him














Behold, a people has come out of Egypt
This phrase refers to the Israelites, who had been delivered from slavery in Egypt by God's mighty hand. The Exodus is a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness. The mention of Egypt highlights the miraculous nature of their deliverance and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a central narrative in the Pentateuch, illustrating themes of redemption and covenant.

and they cover the face of the land
This imagery suggests the vast number of Israelites, emphasizing their growth from a small family into a great nation, as promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:2). The phrase also conveys a sense of threat to the surrounding nations, as the Israelites' presence is overwhelming. This fulfills God's promise to make Israel numerous (Genesis 22:17) and foreshadows their eventual settlement in Canaan.

Now come and put a curse on them for me
Balak, the king of Moab, seeks to employ Balaam, a diviner, to curse the Israelites. In the ancient Near East, blessings and curses were believed to have real power, often invoked by deities or through intermediaries. This reflects the spiritual warfare aspect of Israel's journey, as they face opposition not only physically but also spiritually. The request for a curse highlights the fear and desperation of Moab in the face of Israel's advance.

Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away
Balak's hope is that a curse will weaken the Israelites, making them vulnerable to military defeat. This reflects the common belief in the power of spoken words and divine intervention in battles. Historically, the Moabites were descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:37), and their fear of Israel's God-driven success underscores the tension between Israel and its neighbors. This also prefigures the spiritual battles believers face, relying on God's strength rather than human means.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Balak
The king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam.

2. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is summoned by Balak to curse the Israelites.

3. Israelites
The people of God who have come out of Egypt and are journeying to the Promised Land.

4. Moab
The region ruled by Balak, which is threatened by the presence of the Israelites.

5. Egypt
The land from which the Israelites have been delivered, symbolizing their liberation and God's faithfulness.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Protection
Despite human intentions to harm, God protects His people and can turn curses into blessings.

The Power of Words and Intentions
Words have power, but God's will prevails. We must align our intentions with God's purposes.

Faithfulness in the Face of Opposition
Like the Israelites, believers may face opposition, but they can trust in God's deliverance and faithfulness.

The Danger of Greed and Compromise
Balaam's account warns against compromising faith for material gain or personal advantage.

The Importance of Obedience to God
Obedience to God is crucial, even when faced with external pressures or temptations.(11) A people come out of Egypt . . . --Better, the people which came out from Egypt, it covereth . . .



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
‘Behold,
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

a people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

has come out
הַיֹּצֵ֣א (hay·yō·ṣê)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of Egypt,
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and they cover
וַיְכַ֖ס (way·ḵas)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

the face
עֵ֣ין (‘ên)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the land.
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

Now
עַתָּ֗ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

come
לְכָ֤ה (lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and put a curse
קָֽבָה־ (qā·ḇāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6895: To scoop out, to malign, execrate

on them
אֹת֔וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

for me.
לִּי֙ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

Perhaps I may
אוּלַ֥י (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

be able
אוּכַ֛ל (’ū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

to fight
לְהִלָּ֥חֶם (lə·hil·lā·ḥem)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against them
בּ֖וֹ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and drive them away.’”
וְגֵרַשְׁתִּֽיו׃ (wə·ḡê·raš·tîw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1644: To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce


Links
Numbers 22:11 NIV
Numbers 22:11 NLT
Numbers 22:11 ESV
Numbers 22:11 NASB
Numbers 22:11 KJV

Numbers 22:11 BibleApps.com
Numbers 22:11 Biblia Paralela
Numbers 22:11 Chinese Bible
Numbers 22:11 French Bible
Numbers 22:11 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 22:11 Behold the people that is come out (Nu Num.)
Numbers 22:10
Top of Page
Top of Page