Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 22:4
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.
4. And Moab said ] The people are represented in the person of their king.
the elders of Midian ] They are mentioned, in this story, only here and in Num 22:7. The Midianites may be supposed to have made common cause with the Moabites in fear of the formidable enemy. But if so, it is surprising that they are not named in Balaam’s utterances in ch. 24. Behind the present narrative there may lie some unknown tradition in J which formed the basis of P’s narrative in 31:161 [Note: Notice that Midian is geographically connected with the territory of Moab in Gen 36:35 (J).] . Or perhaps, as some think, a late compiler has here introduced the Midianites in view of Num 31:16.
And Balak at that time ] In Num 22:2 E has already mentioned Balak as a well-known person.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The elders of Midian, called the kings of Midian, Num 31:8, and princes of Midian, Jos 13:21; who though divided into their kingdoms, yet were now unified upon the approach of the Israelites their common enemy; and being, as it seems, a potent and crafty people, and neighbours to the Moabites, these seek confederacy with them. We read of Midianites near Mount Sinai, Exo 2; Exo 3, which seem to have been a part or colony of this people that went out to seek new quarters, as the manner of those times was, but the body of that people were seated in those parts, as is evident from many scriptures.
Lick up, i.e. consume and utterly destroy, in which sense the fire is said to lick up the water and sacrifices, 1Ki 18:38. The meaning is, we can expect no mercy from them, they will utterly root us out as they did the Amorites, if we do not make a stout and timely opposition.
All that are round about us, i.e. all our people, who lived in the country and territory adjoining to each city, where the princes resided.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. elders of Midiancalledkings (Nu 31:8) and princes (Jos13:21). The Midianites, a distinct people on the southernfrontier of Moab, united with them as confederates against Israel,their common enemy.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Moab said unto the elders of Midian,…. Whom the king of Moab sent for to consult with what to do in the present case, for the good and safety of both people; for, according to the Targum of Jonathan, they were one people and one kingdom unto this time, at least had been confederates, by what is said Ge 36:35 though Jarchi thinks there was always a mutual hatred of each other, and that Midian now came against Moab to war, but for fear of Israel a peace was made between them, just as it was with Herod and Pontius Pilate in another case, Lu 23:12, however, they were friends as well as neighbours now; and by which it appears, that this Midian was not that where Jethro lived, which was on the Red sea, near Mount Sinai, in Arabia Felix; this was near the river Arnon, and the Moabites in Arabia Petraea; and though both the one and the other descended from Midian, the son of Abraham by Keturah, yet they had spread themselves, or the one was a colony from the other, and might be distinguished into southern and northern Midianites; the latter were those near Moab; and these elders of Midian, addressed by the king of Moab, being now at his court, whether sent for or not, are the same with the five kings or princes of Midian, as they are called, Nu 31:8 as Aben Ezra observes:
now shall this company lick up all [that are] round about us; consume us, and all our people, and all adjoining to us, and depending on us:
as the ox licketh up the grass of the field; as easily, and as soon, and as completely and entirely; nor are we any more able to oppose them than the grass of the field is to resist and hinder the ox from devouring it:
and Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time; according to the Targum of Jonathan, Midianites and Moabites reigned by turns so long a time; and that Balak was a Midianite, and so says Jarchi, and unfit for the kingdom, and was set over them through necessity for a time: but it seems rather that he was king in succession after his father Zippor; and the design of the expression is only to show, that he who was before mentioned, Nu 22:2 was the then reigning prince when this affair happened.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) And Moab said unto the elders of Midian.It has been thought that Balak was a Midianite. who had been imposed upon the Moabites as their king by their Amoritish conquerors. (Comp. Num. 21:26.) The concluding words of the verse may be understood as denoting a recent change in the dynasty.
As the ox licketh up the grass of the field.The comparison is one which well accords with the occupation of the Moabites as a pastoral people.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Elders of Midian Greek, “The senate of Madiam.” From the absence of any mention of a king of Midian at this time we infer that the people were governed by the body of elders or princes, and that they were so closely allied to Moab as to have but one king. See Num 22:2, note. It is impossible for geographers to lay down the boundaries of the Midianites. It is certain that they dwelt on the western shore of the AElanitic Gulf, east of Horeb, and that they stretched northward along the eastern frontier of the tribes of Israel east of the Jordan.
Lick up all This expressive metaphor, still common in the East, was very natural to a pastoral people. Balak wished to arouse the fears of Midian and to secure their aid in the scheme of destroying Israel, not by an alliance of arms but of influence in securing the destructive agency of the renowned Mesopotamian soothsayer.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 22:4. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian Said, i.e. by messengers, whom he sent to them as being his neighbours and allies; and whom, as his first step, he endeavoured to join in a confederacy against the Israelites, as their common enemy. The elders of Midian means their king and princes; see ch. Num 31:8. Jos 13:21. These Midianites are not the same as those descended from Abraham by Keturah, of whom we read, Gen 25:2 for they were settled on the eastern coast of the Red sea, on the borders of Arabia Felix; whereas these appear to have been in the neighbourhood of the Moabites. Their capital city is placed by St. Jerome on the banks of the Arnon, not far from Ar of the Moabites; and their country is thought to have extended itself along the east side of the Dead sea. They appear to have been in subjection to the Amorites; for the five kings of Midian, who combined with Moab, and perished in their enterprise, are called dukes of Sihon; that is, governors whom he set over them, chap. Num 31:8. Jos 13:21. So that, instead of being offended at the overthrow of the Amorites, they ought to have been thankful to Israel for freeing them from Sihon’s tyrannical yoke. See Calmet and Ainsworth. The last clause of this verse, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field, is a lively metaphor, signifying the facility wherewith the Israelites would conquer them, without a timely opposition; and likewise what an universal desolation they would make. The original is, the green of the field; not only the grass, but the leaves of the trees, which are food for oxen; see Isa 27:10.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Num 22:4 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.
Ver. 4. Unto the elders of Midian. ] Their neighbours and confederates. These are called the dukes of Sihon, as having been subdued by his tyranny, whereof Israel had now freed them, and meant them no hurt. Num 31:8 Jos 13:21
And Balak the son of Zippor.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all that are round about us: Hebrew all our circuits. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
elders: Num 22:7, Num 25:15-18, Num 31:8, Jos 13:21, Jos 13:22
Now shall: Num 24:17, Jer 48:38
And Balak: Num 22:2, Jdg 11:25
Reciprocal: Gen 25:2 – Midian Exo 1:9 – the people Num 22:10 – General Num 25:6 – a Midianitish Deu 2:4 – they shall Deu 2:9 – Distress not the Moabites 1Ki 11:18 – Midian 1Ch 1:32 – Midian Neh 2:10 – it grieved Hab 3:7 – saw the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 22:4. The elders Called the kings of Midian, Num 31:8; and princes of Midian, Jos 13:21; who, though divided into their kingdoms, yet were now united upon the approach of the Israelites, their common enemy, and being, as it seems, a potent and crafty people, and neighbours to the Moabites, these seek confederacy with them. We read of Midianites near mount Sinai, Exo 2:3.; which seem to have been a colony of this people, that went out to seek new quarters, as the manner of those times was; but the body of that people were seated in those parts. Lick up That is, consume and utterly destroy, in which sense the fire is said to lick up the water and sacrifices, 1Ki 18:38; all that are round about us All our people, who live in the country adjoining to each city, where the princes reside. A lively metaphor to signify the facility with which the Israelites should conquer them without a timely opposition, and likewise what a universal desolation they should make.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
22:4 And Moab said unto the {b} 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.
(b) Who were the heads and governors.