Keraia
Numbers 23

Numbers 23:7

Balaam’s First Oracle · Numbers 23:1–12
Read Numbers 23

Translations

Modern
And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
Traditional
And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
Literal
And he lifted up his oracle and said, “Balak has brought me from Aram, the king of Moab, from the mountains of the east: ‘Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel.’
Latin
…assumptaque parabola sua, dixit: De Aram adduxit me Balac rex Moabitarum, de montibus orientis: Veni, inquit, et maledic Jacob; propera, et detestare Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’

Notes

Numbers 23:7–8

Instead of cursing Israel, Balaam spoke about their special status (compare Exodus 19:5–6; Deuteronomy 7:6–9). He recognized that God's blessing had transformed a humble people into a great nation (compare Genesis 12:2–3; 13:16; 28:14). Balaam hoped for similar good fortune for himself (Numbers 23:10).

Numbers 23:7–10

  • In his first message from God, Balaam reviewed why he had come to Moab (23:5, 16). He explained how Balak had called him. He also stressed that God had a special relationship with Israel. Balaam made clear that he could not harm Israel because God was protecting them.

  • These messages are written as poetry. Hebrew poetry often uses parallelism. Parallelism places two similar lines together. The second line repeats or strengthens the first line in a clear and ordered way.

  • Aram: This refers to Aram-naharaim. This name describes North Mesopotamia, where Balaam’s hometown of Pethor was located (Numbers 22:5).

  • the mountains of the east: This refers to a mountain range in North Syria.

Numbers 23:1–30

  • As a diviner, Balaam carried out rituals to look for signs about the future of Israel (compare 23:23; 24:1). Balak had called him to curse Israel, but God repeatedly stopped him.

  • These sacrifices might have related to extispicy. This was the practice of examining animal livers or other organs to predict the future. Ancient Near Eastern texts show that this fortune-telling method was common and well-developed. God had forbidden Israel from such practices (see Deuteronomy 18:9–14; compare Ezekiel 21:21).

Numbers 22:2–24:25

The story of Balak and Balaam marks an important turning point in Israel’s history. It includes humor, drama, and deep teaching about God.

The story makes one main point clear. The Lord’s will must be carried out. No one could stop his plan for Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Jacob Moab and Ammon

People

Balak: King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan Paddan: The homeland of the patriarchs in Mesopotamia

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Balaam Balak Bamoth, Bamoth-Baal Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of False Prophets Jacob Jannes and Jambres Moab, Moabites Moses Numbers, Book of Poetry, Biblical Prophets, False Shittim (Place)

Topics

Aram: The Region Whence Balaam Came at Balak's Command God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The Moabites: Governed by Kings Prayer: Imprecatory Syria: Called Aram, from the Son of Shem