24:9a

Then: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then introduces the next event in the storyline.

Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab: The story of King Balak is told in Numbers 22-24. He was the king of the Moabites.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Then Balak, who was the king of Moab and the son of Zippor, got ready to fight against the Israelites.
-or-
King Balak was the son of Zippor and the king of the Moabites. He prepared to fight Israel.

set out to fight against Israel: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set out indicates preparation for an action. It can also be translated “he got ready to make war.”

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

prepared to fight (New International Version)

24:9b

He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you: King Balak sent messengers to Balaam to ask him to put a curse on Israel.

Balaam son of Beor: Balaam is first mentioned in Numbers 22:5.

curse you: The phrase curse you indicates that Balaam would call on gods to make something terrible happen to the Israelites.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

He sent ⌊messengers⌋ to tell Balaam the son of Beor to put a curse on you.
-or-
So King Balak sent ⌊word⌋ to Balaam the son of Beor and asked him to put a curse on you.

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