Numbers 22:3-5

New International Reader's Version

³ The Moabites were terrified because there were so many Israelites. In fact, the Moabites were filled with panic because of the Israelites.

⁴ The Moabites spoke to the elders of Midian. They said, “This huge mob is going to destroy everything around us. They’ll lick it up as an ox licks up all the grass in the fields.”

Balak, the son of Zippor, was the king of Moab at that time. ⁵ He sent messengers to get Balaam. Balaam was the son of Beor. Balaam was at the city of Pethor near the Euphrates River. Pethor was in the land where Balaam had been born. Balak told the messengers to say to Balaam,

“A nation has come out of Egypt. They are covering the face of the land. They’ve set up camp next to me.