RobH_en_tn/num/22/04.md

The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian

The Moabites and the Midianites were two different groups of people, but the Midianites were living in the land of Moab at that time.

This multitude will eat up all that is around us as an ox eats up the grass in a field

The way the Israelites will destroy their enemies is spoken of as if they were an ox eating up the grass in a field. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)

Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time

This changes from the main story to background information about Balak. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background)