Izrael se utábořil vSetim na polích Moábských za Jordánem naproti Jerichu. Balák byl král Moábských. Byli to potomci Lota, Božího muže, který postavil svůj stan směrem kSodomě. Moábští se báli Izraele. Viděli aslyšeli ovšech zázracích, které pro ně vykonal jejich Bůh. Najali si proroka Baláma, aby je proklínal.
"Israel is camped at Shittim in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan and just opposite Jericho. Balak is king of the Moabites. They were the descendants of Lot, the man of God who pitched his tent toward Sodom. The Moabites were frightened by Israel. They had seen and heard of all the miracles their God has performed for them. They hired the prophet Balaam to curse them.