Numbers 21:11

21:11 Then they traveled on from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, ¹  in the wilderness that is before Moab, on the eastern side. ² 

Numbers 22:1

Balaam Refuses to Curse Israel

22:1 ³ The Israelites traveled on ⁴  and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan River ⁵  across from Jericho. ⁶ 

Numbers 24:2

24:2 When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; ⁷  and the Spirit of God came upon him.

Numbers 33:7

33:7 They traveled from Etham, and turned again to Pi-hahiroth, which is before Baal-Zephon; and they camped before Migdal.

Numbers 33:9

33:9 They traveled from Marah and came to Elim; in Elim there are twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees, so they camped there.

Numbers 33:48

33:48 They traveled from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan River ⁸  across from Jericho. ⁹ 

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¹ sn These places are uncertain. Oboth may be some 15 miles (25 km) from the south end of the Dead Sea at a place called ‘Ain el-Weiba. Iye Abarim may be the modern Mahay at the southeastern corner of Moab. See J. Simons, The Geographical and Topographical Texts of the Old Testament.

² tn Heb “the rising of the sun.”

³ sn The fifth section of the book (22:1-33:56) traces the Israelite activities in Transjordan. It is hard to determine how long they were in Transjordan, but a good amount of time must have elapsed for the number of moves they made and the wars they fought. There is a considerable amount of information available on this section of the book. Some of the most helpful works include: H. C. Brichto, The Problem of “Curse” in the Hebrew Bible (JBLMS); E. Burrows, The Oracles of Jacob and Balaam; G. W. Coats, “Balaam, Sinner or Saint?” BR 18 (1973): 21-29; P. C. Craigie, “The Conquest and Early Hebrew Poetry,” TynBul 20 (1969): 76-94; I. Parker, “The Way of God and the Way of Balaam,” ExpTim 17 (1905): 45; and J. A. Wharton, “The Command to Bless: An Exposition of Numbers 22:41–23:25,” Int 13 (1959): 37-48. This first part introduces the characters and sets the stage for the oracles. It can be divided into four sections: the invitation declined (vv. 1-14), the second invitation extended (vv. 15-21), God opposes Balaam (vv. 22-35), and Balaam meets Balak (vv. 36-41).

⁴ tn The verse begins with the vav (ו) consecutive.

⁵ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁶ map For the location of Jericho see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.

⁷ tn Heb “living according to their tribes.”

⁸ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁹ map For the location of Jericho see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.