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 26:63

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. ⁵ 

Numbers 31:12

31:12 They brought the captives and the spoils and the plunder to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the Israelite community, to the camp on the plains ⁶  of Moab, along the Jordan River ⁷  across from Jericho. ⁸ 

Numbers 33:50

At the Border of Canaan

33:50 The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. He said:

Numbers 36:13

36:13 These are the commandments and the decisions that the Lord commanded the Israelites through the authority ⁹  of Moses, on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River ¹⁰  opposite Jericho. ¹¹ 

[22:1]  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).

[22:1]  ² tn The verse begins with the vav (ו) consecutive.

[22:1]  ³ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[22:1]  ⁴ map For the location of Jericho see Map5 B2; Map6 E1; Map7 E1; Map8 E3; Map10 A2; Map11 A1.

[26:63]  ⁵ map For the location of Jericho see Map5 B2; Map6 E1; Map7 E1; Map8 E3; Map10 A2; Map11 A1.

[31:12]  ⁶ tn Or “steppes.”

[31:12]  ⁷ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[31:12]  ⁸ tn Again this expression, “the Jordan of Jericho,” is used. It describes the intended location along the Jordan River, the Jordan next to or across from Jericho.

[36:13]  ⁹ tn Heb “by the hand.”

[36:13]  ¹⁰ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[36:13]  ¹¹ map For the location of Jericho see Map5 B2; Map6 E1; Map7 E1; Map8 E3; Map10 A2; Map11 A1.