The journey through the wilderness nears its climax as the Israelites arrive at their final encampment before entering the Promised Land. This location serves as the staging ground for the last major events of Moses' life and the nation's ultimate preparations [ביאור יש״ר]. Following their military victories over Sihon and Og, the people travel southward [ביאור שטיינזלץ, העמק דבר]. With the battles concluded, the soldiers return to gather their wives and children, who had been waiting safely across the Arnon stream in the desert [חזקוני].
They settle in the plains of Moab, a stretch of land spanning between the Arnon and Jabbok streams [חזקוני]. Geographically, this area sits on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, directly opposite the city of Jericho [רשב״ם, רש״ר הירש, ביאור יש״ר]. Describing this eastern territory as being across the river reflects the future perspective of the people once they settle in the Land of Israel, looking back eastward [רשב״ם]. The encampment itself is highly organized yet spread out. While the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant rest securely in the center of the plains, the Israelites themselves are dispersed, living throughout the newly conquered cities on the eastern side of the river [העמק דבר].
As the narrative shifts to the events involving Balaam, a unique structural change occurs. Throughout this entire episode, there is a complete absence of breaks or paragraph divisions in the written record. Typically, these pauses gave Moses time to reflect and process between different divine messages. However, Balaam's prophecies involve no personal thought or discretion. God simply places the words into his mouth, forcing every utterance, making any pauses for reflection entirely unnecessary [ברכת אשר בשם החפץ חיים].
During these events, a sharp contrast emerges between Balaam's self-image and his actual spiritual standing. He proudly views himself as a prophet operating at the highest spiritual level, claiming to speak in the most explicit and elevated name of God. Yet, the narrative consistently brings him down to his true, lower reality, emphasizing that his prophetic experiences are driven by a much more basic, general manifestation of God [ברכת אשר בשם העמק דבר].