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Numbers 22:4 - Moab fears Israel's overwhelming strength

Numbers 22:4 - במדבר 22:4

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר מוֹאָב אֶל־זִקְנֵי מִדְיָן עַתָּה יְלַחֲכוּ הַקָּהָל אֶת־כָּל־סְבִיבֹתֵינוּ כִּלְחֹךְ הַשּׁוֹר אֵת יֶרֶק הַשָּׂדֶה וּבָלָק בֶּן־צִפּוֹר מֶלֶךְ לְמוֹאָב בָּעֵת הַהִוא׃

English Translation

And Mo᾽av said to the elders of Midyan, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. And Balaq the son of Żippor was king of Mo᾽av at that time.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Moav el-ziknei Midyan ata yelachaku hakahal et-kol-svivoteinu kilchoch hashor et yerek hasadeh u'Valak ben-Tzipor melech le'Moav ba'et hahi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מוֹאָ֜ב אֶל־זִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עַתָּ֞ה יְלַחֲכ֤וּ הַקָּהָל֙ אֶת־כׇּל־סְבִ֣יבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כִּלְחֹ֣ךְ הַשּׁ֔וֹר אֵ֖ת יֶ֣רֶק הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּבָלָ֧ק בֶּן־צִפּ֛וֹר מֶ֥לֶךְ לְמוֹאָ֖ב בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽוא׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מוֹאָ֜ב אֶל־זִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עַתָּ֞ה יְלַחֲכ֤וּ הַקָּהָל֙ אֶת־כׇּל־סְבִ֣יבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כִּלְחֹ֣ךְ הַשּׁ֔וֹר אֵ֖ת יֶ֣רֶק הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּבָלָ֧ק בֶּן־צִפּ֛וֹר מֶ֥לֶךְ לְמוֹאָ֖ב בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽוא׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:4, where Moab expresses fear of Bnei Yisrael after witnessing their military victories over neighboring nations. The imagery of an ox licking up grass illustrates their concern that Israel will consume all resources in the region.

Moab’s Fear and Strategy

Rashi explains that Moab feared Bnei Yisrael would conquer their land just as they had conquered the lands of Sichon and Og. The comparison to an ox licking grass ("kilchoch hashor es yerek hasadeh") emphasizes their dread of total devastation. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:4) adds that Moab sought an alliance with Midian, despite historical enmity between them, showing how threatened they felt.

Balak’s Leadership

The verse introduces Balak ben Tzippor as the king of Moab at that time. The Malbim notes that Balak’s name ("devastator") and his father’s name, Tzippor ("bird"), symbolize his destructive intentions and fleeting nature. The Ibn Ezra suggests that mentioning Balak here sets the stage for his subsequent actions—hiring Balaam to curse Israel.

Symbolism of the Ox

  • Rashi: The ox represents Bnei Yisrael’s strength and unstoppable nature, likened to an animal that consumes everything in its path.
  • Ramban: The metaphor also hints at Israel’s divinely granted success—just as an ox naturally grazes, so too does Israel’s conquest appear inevitable under Hashem’s will.
  • Sforno: The imagery underscores Moab’s helplessness, as grass cannot resist an ox’s consumption.

Historical and Theological Implications

The Kli Yakar highlights that Moab’s fear was misplaced—Bnei Yisrael had no divine command to attack Moab (as later seen in Devarim 2:9). Their panic stemmed from ignorance of Hashem’s specific directives. This teaches that nations often misunderstand Israel’s role in the divine plan, leading to unnecessary hostility.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the phrase 'lick up all that are round about us' mean in Numbers 22:4?
A: The phrase 'lick up all that are round about us' is a metaphor used by Moav to describe how they feared the Israelites would completely consume or conquer the surrounding lands, just as an ox eats up all the grass in a field. Rashi explains that this shows Moav's great fear of the Israelites' growing power and numbers.
Q: Why was King Balak of Moav concerned about the Israelites?
A: King Balak was concerned because the Israelites had recently defeated powerful nations like Sichon and Og (as mentioned in previous chapters). Moav feared they would be next. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:1) explains that Balak saw the Israelites as a threat to his kingdom's survival, leading him to seek unusual measures to stop them.
Q: Why did Moav consult with the elders of Midyan in this verse?
A: Moav sought an alliance with Midyan because both nations felt threatened by the Israelites' presence. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105a) notes that although Moav and Midyan were often rivals, they temporarily united against a common enemy. This teaches how fear can bring even opposing groups together.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moav's reaction to the Israelites?
A: This verse teaches how fear can distort perception. Instead of recognizing G-d's protection of Israel, Moav saw them only as a threat. Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 2:3) teaches that proper judgment requires overcoming fear and seeing situations clearly, which Moav failed to do.
Q: How does this verse connect to the larger story of Balaam?
A: This verse sets the stage for the Balaam narrative, showing why Balak felt desperate enough to summon Balaam to curse Israel (as the story continues). The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 4a) explains that Balak represents those who try to fight G-d's will through supernatural means rather than accepting divine providence.