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.
And the people of Moab said to the leaders of Midian, 'This crowd of Israelites will devour everything around us, just like an ox devours all the grass in a field.' At that time, Balak, the son of Zippor, was king of the Moabites.
The Moabites were terrified that the Israelites would consume all their resources and land, comparing them to cattle that eat up entire fields of grass.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites were encamped near the land of Moab during their wilderness journey after escaping Egypt, posing a significant threat to the surrounding nations due to their large numbers. The Moabite king, Balak son of Zippor, feared that the Israelites would overwhelm and consume the resources of Moab and its neighbors, comparing it to an ox devouring grass in the field. This anxiety led Balak to seek advice from the elders of Midian, setting the stage for the story of Balaam.
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