This verse gives two reasons for excluding Moabites and Ammonites from the assembly of the LORD (see the reference to this in Neh 13.1-2): (1) They did not supply the Israelites with provisions as they were on their way from Egypt to Canaan. Nothing is said about this in the account in Num 21–22; and in Deut 2.9, 19 the Israelites are given orders not to harass the Moabites or Ammonites. (2) They hired Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites. For this story see Num 22.4–24.25.

They hired Balaam: or “they paid money to Balaam.”

Pethor of Mesopotamia: that is, the city of Pethor in the country, or region, of Mesopotamia (“between the rivers” Tigris and Euphrates).

To curse you means “to speak evil [or, hurting] words against you.” See also 11.26.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• This is because, when you came out of Egypt, they refused to provide you with food and water. They also hired Balaam son of Beor, from the city of Pethor in the region of Mesopotamia, to put a curse on you.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .