Numbers 22:1

Balaam Refuses to Curse Israel

22:1 1 The Israelites traveled on 2  and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan River 3  across from Jericho. 4 

Numbers 26:3

26:3 So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan River 5  across from Jericho. 6  They said,

Numbers 26:63

26:63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the Israelites in the plains of Moab along the Jordan River opposite Jericho. 7 

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 

1 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).

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

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

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

5 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity (also in v. 62).

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

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

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.