Thematic Bible: Balak sends for balaam

At that time, Zippor's son Balak was the king of Moab. He sent messengers to Beor's son Balaam in Pethor, near the Euphrates River, the land where the descendants of his people originated, to summon his aid. He said, "Look! A group of people have escaped from Egypt. They cover the surface of the whole earth, and are sitting here right in front of me. So come right now and curse this people for me, because there are too many of them for me to handle. Perhaps I'll be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land, since I know that whomever you bless is blessed and whomever you curse is cursed."

In response, Balak sent more officers higher ranking ones, at that! who approached Balaam with this message: "This is what Zippor's son Balak says: "Don't let anything get in the way of your coming to me. I'm determined to reward you generously, and I'll do everything you tell me to do. So come right away and curse this people for me.'"