Numbers 22:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Balak, representing a figure akin to the devil, serves as the ruler of the native waters, with Moab symbolizing those same native waters based on an alternative etymological interpretation.

Regarding the delegation sent to Balaam, one might wonder why the Moabites sought the assistance of the Midianite leaders. Given that certain Midianite tribes resided near the Moabites, the Moabite king invited them to collaborate in their efforts against the Israelites. The Midianites agreed to this alliance and, acting in concert with the Moabites, dispatched their own envoys to Balaam (Num. 22:7) to call down a curse upon God's chosen people. Together, they waged war against the Israelites, employing both military force and seductive temptations (Num. 25:6). Notably, God's anger was directed solely at the Midianites for this collaboration, while He showed mercy to the Moabites and Ammonites, likely due to His covenant relationship with their ancestor Lot (Deuteronomy 2:9).