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.
So the leaders of Moab and the leaders of Midian left, carrying money to pay for fortune-telling. They went to Balaam and told him everything that Balak had said.
The writer is showing how the leaders carried payment for magical services to a prophet, delivering King Balak's message requesting help against Israel.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites were journeying through the wilderness toward the Promised Land and had encamped near the territory of Moab, which made King Balak fearful of their growing numbers and power. He sent elders from Moab and Midian to hire Balaam, a known diviner from a pagan background, to curse the Israelites in hopes of defeating them. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern cultural practice of using divination and sorcery to influence outcomes in warfare and politics.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.