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Exodus 15:15
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Deuteronomy 2:25
This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nationsthat are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

Joshua 2:10,11,24
For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, thatwere on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed…

because they were numerous.
The Israelites' large numbers were a sign of God's blessing and fulfillment of His promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This numerical strength was intimidating to surrounding nations, who saw it as a potential threat to their own security and resources. The census inNumbers 1 and 26 highlights the vast population of Israel, emphasizing their growth during the wilderness period.

Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.
The dread of Moab is not merely a fear of military defeat but also an existential threat to their way of life and religious practices. The Moabites worshiped Chemosh, and the presence of a monotheistic people with a powerful God challenged their beliefs. This dread foreshadows the spiritual battles that Israel would face in maintaining their covenant identity amidst pagan nations. The Moabites' fear also sets the stage for the subsequent narrative involving Balaam, where spiritual warfare is waged through curses and blessings.

Numbers 22:3a records, “Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous.”

• The verse picks up after Israel’s triumphs over Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35). Moab watches a vast nation set up camp “on the plains of Moab” (Numbers 22:1) and instantly senses its own vulnerability.

• Scripture consistently notes how Israel’s size unsettled surrounding nations. Pharaoh once said, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we are” (Exodus 1:9-10), an echo of the same fear.

• God had promised Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:2), and that promise is now visible—so sizable that a kingdom trembles.

• This moment fulfills God’s word to Moses: “Today I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, so that they will tremble when they hear of you” (Deuteronomy 2:25).

• For Moab, numbers meant a looming threat of invasion, resource loss, and cultural displacement. Instead of turning to the Lord, Moab responds with panic, mirroring the reaction inJoshua 2:9 where Rahab recounts, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us.”

Numbers 22:3b continues, “Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.”

• The wording escalates from fear to dread—an emotional paralysis.Exodus 15:16 speaks of such divine-induced dread: “Terror and dread fall upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they are still as stone.” The same hand of God stirs Moab’s heart.

• Dread reveals Moab’s recognition that Israel’s success is supernatural. Balak later admits, “This people will lick up everything around us” (Numbers 22:4), acknowledging a force beyond mere military might.

• Israel’s victories came while relying on God, not superior weaponry (seeDeuteronomy 20:4). Their presence testifies that the LORD fights for them, intensifying Moab’s anxiety.

• Instead of seeking reconciliation, Moab hires Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:5-6). This reaction highlights a broader biblical theme: opposition that refuses to bow before God ultimately furthers His purposes, as when Pharaoh’s hardness displayed God’s power (Romans 9:17).

Numbers 22:3 shows that Israel’s sheer size and God-given success triggered Moab’s terror and dread. The verse demonstrates God’s faithfulness to enlarge Abraham’s descendants and to place fear of them upon neighboring nations. Moab’s response—panic leading to spiritual hostility—contrasts with faith that could have sought blessing through Israel’s God. In the unfolding narrative, this fear will move Moab to enlist Balaam, yet even attempted curses will turn into blessings, confirming that no enemy plot can overturn the Lord’s promises.