Some characters - who are they?

The Israelites have defeated two kings before crossing the Jordan river: Sihon and Og.  Balak, king of Moab, is concerned that the same thing will happen to him.  He sends emissaries and attempts to enlist Balaam to curse Israel.

"And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed."  (Numbers 22: 12)

Think about the profound importance of blessings and curses and the meaning of human language.

Balaam Receiving Messangers from Balak (illustration from 1890 Holman Bible), source Wikimedia Commons.