Numbers 22 בְּמִדְבַּר פרק כ״ב

Masoretic Text, word by word with English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Numbers 22 in the interlinear reader for transliteration, roots and notes.

1. 1

   וַיִּסְעוּand they set outבְּנֵיthe sons ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelוַיַּחֲנוּand they encampedבְּעַרְבוֹתin the plains ofמוֹאָבMoabמֵעֵבֶרacrossלְיַרְדֵּןof the Jordanיְרֵחוֹ׃of Jericho

   And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.

2. 2

   וַיַּרְאand sawבָּלָקBalakבֶּן־צִפּוֹרson of Zipporאֵת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂהall that he didיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלָאֱמֹרִי׃to the Amorite

   And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3. 3

   וַיָּגׇרand was afraidמוֹאָבMoabמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהָעָםthe peopleמְאֹדexceedinglyכִּיbecauseרַב־הוּאgreat it isוַיָּקׇץand abhorredמוֹאָבMoabמִפְּנֵיbecause ofבְּנֵיthe sons ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Israel

   And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

4. 4

   וַיֹּאמֶרand saidמוֹאָבMoabאֶל־זִקְנֵיto the elders ofמִדְיָןMidianעַתָּהnowיְלַחֲכוּshall lickהַקָּהָלthe assemblyאֶת־כׇּל־סְבִיבֹתֵינוּall around usכִּלְחֹךְas licks upהַשּׁוֹרthe oxאֵת־יֶרֶקgreenery ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldוּבָלָקand Balakבֶּן־צִפּוֹרson of Zipporמֶלֶךְthe king ofלְמוֹאָבof Moabבָּעֵתat the timeהַהִוא׃that

   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.

5. 5

   וַיִּשְׁלַחand sentמַלְאָכִיםmessengersאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamבֶּן־בְּעוֹרson of Beorפְּתוֹרָהto Pethorאֲשֶׁרwhichעַל־הַנָּהָרover the riverאֶרֶץthe land ofבְּנֵי־עַמּוֹsons of his peopleלִקְרֹא־לוֹto call himלֵאמֹרsayingהִנֵּהbeholdעַםpeopleיָצָאhe went forthמִמִּצְרַיִםout of Egyptהִנֵּהbeholdכִסָּהit has coveredאֶת־עֵיןthe eye ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְהוּאand itיֹשֵׁבwho dwell inמִמֻּלִי׃over against me

   He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

6. 6

   וְעַתָּהand nowלְכָה־נָּאcome nowאָרָה־לִּיcurse to meאֶת־הָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּהthisכִּי־עָצוּםbecause mightyהוּאitמִמֶּנִּיfrom meאוּלַיperhapsאוּכַלI couldנַכֶּה־בּוֹwe may smite himוַאֲגָרְשֶׁנּוּand I will drive out itמִן־הָאָרֶץfrom the landכִּיbecauseיָדַעְתִּיI knowאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־תְּבָרֵךְthat which you blessמְבֹרָךְblessed areוַאֲשֶׁרand whichתָּאֹרyou curseיוּאָר׃he is cursed

   Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

7. 7

   וַיֵּלְכוּand they wentזִקְנֵיthe elders ofמוֹאָבMoabוְזִקְנֵיand the elders ofמִדְיָןMidianוּקְסָמִיםand the rewards of divinationבְּיָדָםinto their handsוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamוַיְדַבְּרוּand spokeאֵלָיוto himדִּבְרֵיthe words ofבָלָק׃Balak

   And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

8. 8

   וַיֹּאמֶרand saidאֲלֵיהֶםto themלִינוּlodgeפֹהhereהַלַּיְלָהthe nightוַהֲשִׁבֹתִיand I will bring backאֶתְכֶםyouדָּבָרwordכַּאֲשֶׁרasיְדַבֵּרspeaksיְהֹוָהthe LORDאֵלָיunto meוַיֵּשְׁבוּand abodeשָׂרֵי־מוֹאָבcaptains of Moabעִם־בִּלְעָם׃with Balaam

   And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

9. 9

   וַיָּבֹאand cameאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamוַיֹּאמֶרand saidמִיwhoהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menהָאֵלֶּהtheseעִמָּךְ׃with you

   And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

10. 10

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidבִּלְעָםBalaamאֶל־הָאֱלֹהִיםunto GodבָּלָקBalakבֶּן־צִפֹּרson of Zipporמֶלֶךְthe king ofמוֹאָבMoabשָׁלַחsentאֵלָי׃unto me

    And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

11. 11

    הִנֵּהbeholdהָעָםthe peopleהַיֹּצֵאthe one who goes outמִמִּצְרַיִםout of Egyptוַיְכַסand it coveredאֶת־עֵיןthe eye ofהָאָרֶץthe earthעַתָּהnowלְכָהcomeקָבָה־לִּיcurse to meאֹתוֹhimאוּלַיperhapsאוּכַלI couldלְהִלָּחֶםto engage in battleבּוֹin itוְגֵרַשְׁתִּיו׃and I will drive him out

    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.

12. 12

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamלֹאnotתֵלֵךְyou shall goעִמָּהֶםwith themלֹאnotתָאֹרyou shall curseאֶת־הָעָםthe peopleכִּיforבָרוּךְblessedהוּא׃it

    And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

13. 13

    וַיָּקׇםand rose upבִּלְעָםBalaamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיֹּאמֶרand saidאֶל־שָׂרֵיto captains ofבָלָקBalakלְכוּgoאֶל־אַרְצְכֶםto your landכִּיforמֵאֵןwould notיְהֹוָהthe LORDלְתִתִּיto permit meלַהֲלֹךְto goעִמָּכֶם׃with you

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

14. 14

    וַיָּקוּמוּand rose upשָׂרֵיcaptains ofמוֹאָבMoabוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameאֶל־בָּלָקto Balakוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidמֵאֵןhe would notבִּלְעָםBalaamהֲלֹךְto comeעִמָּנוּ׃with us

    And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

15. 15

    וַיֹּסֶףand continuedעוֹדany moreבָּלָקBalakשְׁלֹחַto sendשָׂרִיםprincesרַבִּיםmanyוְנִכְבָּדִיםand honoredמֵאֵלֶּה׃than these

    And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

16. 16

    וַיָּבֹאוּand they cameאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidלוֹto himכֹּהthusאָמַרsaidבָּלָקBalakבֶּן־צִפּוֹרson of Zipporאַל־נָאdo not I prayתִמָּנַעlet yourself be restrainedמֵהֲלֹךְfrom comingאֵלָי׃unto me

    And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:

17. 17

    כִּי־כַבֵּדbecause surelyאֲכַבֶּדְךָI will honor youמְאֹדexceedinglyוְכֹלand allאֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמַרwhich you sayאֵלַיto meאֶעֱשֶׂהI doוּלְכָה־נָּאand for you nowקָבָה־לִּיcurse to meאֵת־הָעָםthe peopleהַזֶּה׃this

    For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

18. 18

    וַיַּעַןand he answeredבִּלְעָםBalaamוַיֹּאמֶרand saidאֶל־עַבְדֵיto the servants ofבָלָקBalakאִם־יִתֶּן־לִיif he will give to meבָלָקBalakמְלֹאfullness ofבֵיתוֹhis houseכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldלֹאnotאוּכַלI couldלַעֲבֹרcrossאֶת־פִּיmouth ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDאֱלֹהָיmy Godלַעֲשׂוֹתto doקְטַנָּהsmallאוֹorגְדוֹלָה׃great

    And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

19. 19

    וְעַתָּהand nowשְׁבוּabideנָאI prayבָזֶהin thisגַּם־אַתֶּםalso youהַלָּיְלָהthe nightוְאֵדְעָהso let me knowמַה־יֹּסֵףwhat will he increaseיְהֹוָהthe LORDדַּבֵּרspeakעִמִּי׃with me

    Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

20. 20

    וַיָּבֹאand cameאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamלַיְלָהnightוַיֹּאמֶרand saidלוֹto himאִם־לִקְרֹאif to callלְךָfor youבָּאוּcameהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menקוּםariseלֵךְgoאִתָּםwith themוְאַךְneverthelessאֶת־הַדָּבָרthe wordאֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּרwhich I speakאֵלֶיךָto youאֹתוֹitתַעֲשֶׂה׃make

    And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

21. 21

    וַיָּקׇםand rose upבִּלְעָםBalaamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיַּחֲבֹשׁand he saddledאֶת־אֲתֹנוֹhis donkeyוַיֵּלֶךְand wentעִם־שָׂרֵיwith captains ofמוֹאָב׃Moab

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

22. 22

    וַיִּחַר־אַףand was kindled the anger ofאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּי־הוֹלֵךְbecause goingהוּאitוַיִּתְיַצֵּבand he stoodמַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDבַּדֶּרֶךְin the wayלְשָׂטָןto the Adversaryלוֹto himוְהוּאand itרֹכֵבwas ridingעַל־אֲתֹנוֹupon his donkeyוּשְׁנֵיand the twoנְעָרָיוhis servantsעִמּוֹ׃with him

    And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23. 23

    וַתֵּרֶאand sawהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyאֶת־מַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDנִצָּבstands upבַּדֶּרֶךְin the wayוְחַרְבּוֹand his swordשְׁלוּפָהdrawnבְּיָדוֹin his handוַתֵּטand it turned asideהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyמִן־הַדֶּרֶךְout of the wayוַתֵּלֶךְand you shall goבַּשָּׂדֶהin the fieldוַיַּךְand he smoteבִּלְעָםBalaamאֶת־הָאָתוֹןthe donkeyלְהַטֹּתָהּto turn itהַדָּרֶךְ׃the road

    And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

24. 24

    וַיַּעֲמֹדand stoodמַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDבְּמִשְׁעוֹלin the narrow way ofהַכְּרָמִיםthe vineyardsגָּדֵרa wallמִזֶּהon the one sideוְגָדֵרand a wallמִזֶּה׃on the other side

    But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

25. 25

    וַתֵּרֶאand sawהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyאֶת־מַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDוַתִּלָּחֵץand it squeezed itselfאֶל־הַקִּירto the wallוַתִּלְחַץand it squeezedאֶת־רֶגֶלa footבִּלְעָםBalaamאֶל־הַקִּירto the wallוַיֹּסֶףand continuedלְהַכֹּתָהּ׃to strike it

    And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26. 26

    וַיּוֹסֶףand addedמַלְאַךְ־יְהֹוָהangel of the LORDעֲבוֹרto pass onוַיַּעֲמֹדand stoodבְּמָקוֹםin a placeצָרadversaryאֲשֶׁרwhichאֵין־דֶּרֶךְthere is no throughלִנְטוֹתto inclineיָמִיןright handוּשְׂמֹאול׃and left

    And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27. 27

    וַתֵּרֶאand sawהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyאֶת־מַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDוַתִּרְבַּץand it lay downתַּחַתunderבִּלְעָםBalaamוַיִּחַר־אַףand was kindled the anger ofבִּלְעָםBalaamוַיַּךְand he smoteאֶת־הָאָתוֹןthe donkeyבַּמַּקֵּל׃with the stick

    And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

28. 28

    וַיִּפְתַּחand openedיְהֹוָהthe LORDאֶת־פִּיmouth ofהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyוַתֹּאמֶרand saidלְבִלְעָםto Balaamמֶה־עָשִׂיתִיwhat I madeלְךָfor youכִּיthatהִכִּיתַנִיyou have struck meזֶהthisשָׁלֹשׁthreeרְגָלִים׃feet

    And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

29. 29

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidבִּלְעָםBalaamלָאָתוֹןto the donkeyכִּיbecauseהִתְעַלַּלְתְּyou have dealt wantonlyבִּיmeלוּifיֶשׁ־חֶרֶבhas the sword ofבְּיָדִיby my handכִּיbecauseעַתָּהnowהֲרַגְתִּיךְ׃I killed you

    And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

30. 30

    וַתֹּאמֶרand saidהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamהֲלוֹאis it notאָנֹכִיIאֲתֹנְךָyour donkeyאֲשֶׁר־רָכַבְתָּwhich you have riddenעָלַיupon meמֵעוֹדְךָfrom your durationעַד־הַיּוֹםeven until the dayהַזֶּהthisהַהַסְכֵּןreallyהִסְכַּנְתִּיhave I had the habitלַעֲשׂוֹתto doלְךָfor youכֹּהthusוַיֹּאמֶרand saidלֹא׃not

    And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

31. 31

    וַיְגַלand also unfoldedיְהֹוָהthe LORDאֶת־עֵינֵיthe eyes ofבִלְעָםBalaamוַיַּרְאand sawאֶת־מַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDנִצָּבstands upבַּדֶּרֶךְin the wayוְחַרְבּוֹand his swordשְׁלֻפָהwas drawnבְּיָדוֹin his handוַיִּקֹּדand he bowed lowוַיִּשְׁתַּחוּand bowed himselfלְאַפָּיו׃to his face

    Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

32. 32

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidאֵלָיוto himמַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDעַל־מָהupon whatהִכִּיתָyou struckאֶת־אֲתֹנְךָyour donkeyזֶהthisשָׁלוֹשׁthreeרְגָלִיםfeetהִנֵּהbeholdאָנֹכִיIיָצָאתִיI came outלְשָׂטָןto the Adversaryכִּי־יָרַטbecause it is precipitateהַדֶּרֶךְthe wayלְנֶגְדִּי׃to before me

    And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

33. 33

    וַתִּרְאַנִיand it saw meהָאָתוֹןthe donkeyוַתֵּטand it turned asideלְפָנַיbefore meזֶהthisשָׁלֹשׁthreeרְגָלִיםfeetאוּלַיperhapsנָטְתָהit inclinedמִפָּנַיfrom my faceכִּיbecauseעַתָּהnowגַּם־אֹתְכָהalso youהָרַגְתִּיI slewוְאוֹתָהּand itהֶחֱיֵיתִי׃I preserved alive

    And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

34. 34

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidבִּלְעָםBalaamאֶל־מַלְאַךְto angel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDחָטָאתִיhave I sinnedכִּיforלֹאnotיָדַעְתִּיI knowכִּיthatאַתָּהyouנִצָּבstands upלִקְרָאתִיto meet meבַּדָּרֶךְby the wayוְעַתָּהand nowאִם־רַעif evilבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesאָשׁוּבָהI will returnלִּי׃to me

    And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

35. 35

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidמַלְאַךְangel ofיְהֹוָהthe LORDאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamלֵךְgoעִם־הָאֲנָשִׁיםwith the menוְאֶפֶסand onlyאֶת־הַדָּבָרthe wordאֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּרwhich I speakאֵלֶיךָto youאֹתוֹhimתְדַבֵּרyou will speakוַיֵּלֶךְand wentבִּלְעָםBalaamעִם־שָׂרֵיwith captains ofבָלָק׃Balak

    And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36. 36

    וַיִּשְׁמַעand he heardבָּלָקBalakכִּיthatבָאcameבִלְעָםBalaamוַיֵּצֵאand went outלִקְרָאתוֹto meet himאֶל־עִירunto the city ofמוֹאָבMoabאֲשֶׁרwhichעַל־גְּבוּלupon the border ofאַרְנֹןArnonאֲשֶׁרwhichבִּקְצֵהof end ofהַגְּבוּל׃the border of

    And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

37. 37

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidבָּלָקBalakאֶל־בִּלְעָםto Balaamהֲלֹאis it notשָׁלֹחַsurelyשָׁלַחְתִּיI sentאֵלֶיךָto youלִקְרֹא־לָךְto-call-youלָמָּהwhyלֹא־הָלַכְתָּnot the departing ofאֵלָיunto meהַאֻמְנָםis it indeedלֹאnotאוּכַלI couldכַּבְּדֶךָ׃the to honor you

    And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

38. 38

    וַיֹּאמֶרand saidבִּלְעָםBalaamאֶל־בָּלָקto Balakהִנֵּה־בָאתִיbehold I cameאֵלֶיךָto youעַתָּהnowהֲיָכֹלis it ableאוּכַלI couldדַּבֵּרspeakמְאוּמָהanythingהַדָּבָרthe wordאֲשֶׁרwhichיָשִׂיםappointedאֱלֹהִיםGodבְּפִיin the mouth ofאֹתוֹhimאֲדַבֵּר׃I speak

    And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

39. 39

    וַיֵּלֶךְand wentבִּלְעָםBalaamעִם־בָּלָקwith Balakוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameקִרְיַתKiriathחֻצוֹת׃huzoth

    And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.

40. 40

    וַיִּזְבַּחand he sacrificedבָּלָקBalakבָּקָרof the herdוָצֹאןand the flockוַיְשַׁלַּחand sentלְבִלְעָםto Balaamוְלַשָּׂרִיםand to the leadersאֲשֶׁרwhichאִתּוֹ׃with him

    And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

41. 41

    וַיְהִיand it came to passבַבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיִּקַּחand tookבָּלָקBalakאֶת־בִּלְעָםBalaamוַיַּעֲלֵהוּand He brought him upבָּמוֹתBamothבָּעַלa husbandוַיַּרְאand sawמִשָּׁםfrom thereקְצֵהends ofהָעָם׃the people

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.