King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, [saying],
Complete Jewish Bible:
Bil'am said to God, "Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Mo'av, has sent me this message:
Berean Standard Bible:
And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
American Standard Version:
And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Balaam{H1109} said{H559} unto God{H430}, Balak{H1111} the son{H1121} of Zippor{H6834}, king{H4428} of Moab{H4124}, hath sent{H7971} unto me, saying,
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 22:10
1. Themes:
- Divine Sovereignty: The narrative of Balaam emphasizes that God's will supersedes human desires, even when powerful leaders like Balak seek to employ divine power for their purposes.
- Prophecy: Balaam is depicted as a non-Israelite prophet, which challenges the Israelites' understanding of God's ability to speak through foreign individuals.
- Morality and Greed: The story raises questions about the proper use of spiritual gifts and the temptation of material gain, as Balaam is enticed by Balak's offer.
- Blessing and Curse: Balak wants Balaam to curse the Israelites, but the theme that emerges is God's intention to bless Israel, which cannot be thwarted by human action.
2. Historical Context:
- The Israelites' Wanderings: Numbers 22:10 occurs during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, after they have left Egypt and are on their way to the Promised Land.
- Moabite Fear: The Moabites, fearing the growing numbers and strength of the Israelites, seek to stop their progress. Balak, the Moabite king, believes that a curse from a renowned seer like Balaam will weaken the Israelites.
- Balaam's Reputation: Balaam is known as a diviner with the ability to bless or curse, which is why Balak seeks his services. His interactions with God and the talking donkey highlight the unique role he plays in the narrative.
- Israelite-Moabite Relations: The broader context includes the complex relationship between the Moabites and the Israelites, which has roots in the story of Lot and his descendants.
In summary, Numbers 22:10 reflects the tension between the Moabites and the Israelites, with Balak's attempt to employ Balaam's prophetic power to curse Israel. It underscores themes of divine will, the power of prophecy, the ethical use of divine gifts, and the inability to alter God's plans for His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1109
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּלְעָם
Transliteration: Bilʻâm
Pronunciation: bil-awm'
Description: probably from בַּל and עַם; not (of the) people, i.e. foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine; Balaam, Bileam. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H1111
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּלָק
Transliteration: Bâlâq
Pronunciation: baw-lawk'
Description: from בָּלַק; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king; Balak. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H6834
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִפּוֹר
Transliteration: Tsippôwr
Pronunciation: tsip-pore'
Description: the same as צִפּוֹר; Tsippor, a Moabite; Zippor. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H4124
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹאָב
Transliteration: Môwʼâb
Pronunciation: mo-awb
Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).