Numbers 22:1 · Bible study
Numbers 22:1 Commentary: At the Threshold of the Promised Land
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Israel's final camp before entering Canaan: the plains of Moab opposite Jericho. Discover the geography, history, and theology of this pivotal location.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Israel's final camp before entering Canaan, on the east bank of the Jordan opposite Jericho.
- Key words: Plains (Arabah), the steppe valley; other side (eber), perspective from Canaan; Jordan of Jericho, the river section near that city.
- Main debate: The perspective of “on this side” vs “beyond” indicates the writer's location, and source attribution between P and J/E.
- Theological theme: God's faithfulness in bringing His people to the threshold of the promise; the necessity of trust before entering.
- Best use: Preaching on preparation, anticipation, and the security of God's blessing despite opposition.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho.
WEB World English Bible 2000
The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
KJV King James Version 1769
And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And the sons of Israel journey and encamp in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan, by Jericho.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab on the other side of the Jordan from Jericho.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And they went forward and encamped in the plains of Moab, over against where Jericho is situate beyond the Jordan.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y MOVIERON los hijos de Israel, y asentaron en los campos de Moab, de esta parte del Jordán de Jericó.
Depois os filhos de Israel partiram, e se assentaram nos campos de Moabe, desta parte do Jordão de Jericó.
Les enfants d’ Israël partirent, et ils campèrent dans les plaines de Moab, au-delà du Jourdain, vis-à-vis de Jéricho.
Darnach zogen die Kinder Israel und lagerten sich in das Gefilde Moab jenseit des Jordans, gegenüber Jericho.
Daarna reisden de kinderen van Israel, en legerden zich in de vlakken velden van Moab, aan deze zijde van de Jordaan van Jericho.
Poi i figliuoli d’Israele partirono e si accamparono nelle pianure di Moab, oltre il Giordano di Gerico.
Stamtąd ruszyli się synowie Izraelscy, i położyli się obozem na polach Moabskich, z tej strony Jordanu przeciw Jerychowi.
И отправились сыны Израилевы, и остановились на равнинах Моава, при Иордане, против Иерихона.
以色列 人 起行，在摩押 平原、約旦河 東，對著耶利哥 安營。
Then the children of Israel, journeying on, put up their tents in the lowlands of Moab, on the other side of Jordan at Jericho.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Numbers 22:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse records Israel's arrival at their final encampment before entering Canaan. The phrase “plains of Moab” (Hebrew arboth Moab) designates the steppe region north of the Dead Sea, on the east side of the Jordan, directly opposite Jericho. As Keil notes, this area had recently been taken from the Amorites and did not belong to Moab at the time. The Cambridge Bible observes that the expression “the Jordan at Jericho” specifies the part of the river near that city. Barnes adds that the Hebrew Arabah describes the whole depressed valley. All see this location as a staging ground: here Moses will deliver the law of Deuteronomy, the spies will be sent, and Joshua will be commissioned. The verse thus carries a tone of anticipation after decades of wilderness wandering.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The Israelites camped in the plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan opposite Jericho, concluding their wilderness wanderings and preparing to enter the land of promise.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Geographical identification of 'plains of Moab' | All see it as the steppe region north of the Dead Sea, east of the Jordan, opposite Jericho. | Some (Barnes) emphasize the broader Arabah; others (Keil, Cambridge) focus on the specific tract between Beth-jeshimoth and Abel-shittim. |
| Political ownership of the land at this time | It had been Moabite but was taken by Sihon the Amorite, and then conquered by Israel. | Minor: whether the name 'plains of Moab' still applied because of historical association (Clarke, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) or was simply a toponym (Keil). |
| Source critical division | The verse is part of the itinerary framework often assigned to P. | Cambridge identifies v. 1 as continued from P's itinerary (21:10-11), while the Balaam story is J and E. Others do not discuss source division. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The territory called “the plains of Moab” refers to a strip of the Arabah immediately north of the Dead Sea, about nine miles long and five to seven miles wide (Cambridge). Previous to the Amorite conquest under Sihon, this land had belonged to Moab, but by the time of Israel's arrival it was part of the conquered Amorite territory (Clarke, Keil). The camp stretched from Beth-jeshimoth on the northeastern shore of the Dead Sea to Abel-shittim (Keil, citing Num 33:49). The notation “at the Jordan of Jericho” pinpoints the location relative to that prominent city on the opposite bank.
This encampment is the geographical endpoint of Israel's wilderness journey. Here they will receive Moses' final speeches (Deuteronomy 1:5), a new census (Numbers 26), the appointment of Joshua (Numbers 27), and the Balaam episode (Numbers 22, 24). The location also serves as the launch point for the conquest of Canaan: from here Joshua will send spies to Jericho (Joshua 2) and lead the people across the Jordan (Joshua 3).
The immediate narrative context (vv. 2-4) shows that Balak, king of Moab, saw Israel's presence as a threat. Yet Calvin comments that the Moabites were needlessly afraid, since Israel had been commanded not to harass Moab (Deuteronomy 2:9). Their fear was a groundless terror that God allowed to push forward the Balaam story, which will ultimately demonstrate that no curse can stand against God's blessing of His people.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew conveys the same meaning across all major traditions. The Septuagint renders the location similarly. The verse is textually sound.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, the plains of Moab are remembered as the place where Moses gave the speeches that form the book of Deuteronomy. Rabbinic literature highlights this as the site where the covenant was renewed with the new generation. Christian readers from the early church onward have seen in this encampment a type of the church waiting at the edge of the heavenly inheritance. Augustine and others compared Israel's position to the faithful who have crossed the wilderness and now look across the Jordan to the promised rest. Calvin, in his commentary on Numbers, emphasizes that God brought Israel here to show His faithfulness and to demonstrate that no enemy's scheme can thwart His purpose. The location is also recalled in hymns that speak of crossing the Jordan to Canaan, though the primary focus of the verse remains on the concrete historical setting.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Arrival at the border of promise. God has led Israel through forty years to this very spot. The journey was not aimless; every step was preparation for what lay ahead.
- The enemy's response: fear and scheming. Balak sees the people and reacts with terror. The world often views the people of God as a threat, even when they pose none.
- God's provision for the next stage. In these plains, Israel receives instruction, leadership, and reassurance. God does not bring His people to the edge of a promise and abandon them.
Five-point outline
- God guides to the exact place. The specificity of “plains of Moab … opposite Jericho” shows divine precision in fulfilling His word.
- The land is reclaimed. What was once Moabite and then Amorite now belongs to Israel, a foretaste of the inheritance.
- The threshold of inheritance. This camp is not the final home but the staging area for what God will give.
- The people are prepared. Here Moses delivers the law again, the census numbers the new generation, and Joshua is commissioned.
- The test of faith awaits. The Jordan still separates them from the land. Crossing requires trust.
Illustration hooks
- A family after a long cross-country trip arriving at the hotel before a graduation ceremony, excitement and tension mixed.
- A hiker who has climbed for hours and finally sees the summit lodge just across a ridge.
- A student who has completed all coursework and stands at the door of the exam hall.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why would God bring Israel to the border and then delay the crossing for a lengthy stay?
- How does the Moabite fear reflect a pattern in spiritual warfare?
- What does it mean to be “blessed” when enemies try to curse?
Leading a Discussion
This verse seems like a simple travel note, but it marks a pivotal moment in Israel's story. After decades of wandering, the people stand at the border of everything God had promised. The camp in the plains of Moab becomes the setting for final instructions, a new census, and the bizarre episode with Balaam. Use the questions below to help your group see how this staging point speaks to seasons of waiting and preparation.
Discussion questions
- What do the place names in this verse tell you about where Israel was camped? Why might that matter?
- Read Numbers 33:48-50. How do these parallel verses add to the picture?
- The land was called “plains of Moab” even though it was no longer under Moabite control. What does that say about how geography was named?
- Why is the exact location opposite Jericho significant? What events will happen there?
- Balak is terrified of Israel even though Israel had offered peace. Have you experienced opposition that felt undeserved? How do you respond?
- The camp was a waiting place. What does waiting at the edge of a promise look like for you right now?
- How does knowing that God brought Israel specifically to this place strengthen your trust in His guidance?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 21:20 | and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert. |
| Numbers 32:19 | For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.” |
| Numbers 33:48 | They traveled from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. |
| Numbers 33:50 | Yahweh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, |
| Numbers 34:15 | The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.” |
| Numbers 36:13 | These are the commandments and the ordinances which Yahweh commanded by Moses to the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. |
| Deuteronomy 1:5 | Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to declare this law, saying, |
| Deuteronomy 3:8 | We took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke points out that when the Israelites camped in the plains of Moab, they did not take any land that currently belonged to the Moabites. They only occupied territory that had once been Moabite but was captured by Sihon king of the Amorites.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies that the plains are the Arabah, the entire depressed region along the Jordan and Dead Sea. The phrase "on this side Jordan by Jericho" should be understood as "across the Jordan of Jericho," meaning the camp was positioned opposite the city across the river.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin highlights that the reprobate are always tormented by groundless terrors. The Moabites had no cause to fear Israel, yet they stirred up resistance. This shows that those who refuse peace with God invent needless anxieties for themselves, while God still uses their very hostility to confirm His truth.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary stresses that the Balaam story is not a single account but a blend of sources. In the earliest traditions, Balaam is not portrayed as a greedy prophet forced to bless against his will; that negative view of his character emerged later, in Deuteronomy and the New Testament.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note simply identifies the location: the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho. This establishes where Israel camped before entering the promised land, marking a precise geographical reference point for the narrative.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill clarifies that the phrase "on this side Jordan by Jericho" actually means directly opposite Jericho, since the city lay on the far bank of the river. He notes that the Israelites camped in the plains of Moab right across from Jericho, citing the Septuagint and Jewish historians to confirm this geographical point.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB clarifies that the plains of Moab were named after their former inhabitants, though the Moabites had lost this territory to Sihon. He describes their physical character as a dry, sunken desert region east of the Jordan valley opposite Jericho.JFB clarifies that the plains were called Moab not because they belonged to Moab at the time, but because they had originally been theirs before being taken by Sihon. He also notes the land's actual character as a dry, sunken desert east of the Jordan.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch precisely identifies the Israite camp location—the steppes of Moab near Jericho—and explains its importance as the border of the promised land. They note that here Moses conducted two final preparations: a trial of Israel's relation to the heathen world, and his closing legislative and exhortatory work recorded in Deuteronomy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to God's immediate and decisive answer: Israel is already blessed, so no curse can touch them. The point is the sheer futility of Balak's plan against a people God has made untouchable. Human schemes crumble against a divine declaration.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley observes that the plains are still called Moab even after being taken from the Moabites by Sihon and later by Israel. The phrase "by Jericho" simply means the location is opposite that city.