Numbers 22:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The princes of Mo'av got up, returned to Balak and said, "Bil'am refuses to come with us."

Berean Standard Bible:

And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

American Standard Version:

And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the princes^{H8269} of Moab^{H4124} rose up^{H6965}, and they went^{H935} unto Balak^{H1111}, and said^{H559}, Balaam^{H1109} refuseth^{H3985} to come^{H1980} with us.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Numbers 22:14

Numbers 22:14 is a verse set within the broader narrative of Balaam and Balak, which unfolds in the Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Pentateuch in the Hebrew Bible. This verse is part of a story that takes place during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.

In this particular verse, the princes of Moab have been sent by their king, Balak, to summon the renowned diviner Balaam. Balak is fearful of the Israelites, who are camped near Moab, and he desires Balaam to curse the Israelites in hopes of weakening them. The princes, having offered Balaam a generous reward, are returning to Balak with the news that Balaam refuses to come with them. This refusal is significant because it sets the stage for a series of interactions between Balaam, Balak, and the Israelite God, which will ultimately lead to Balaam's famous prophecies and blessings upon Israel instead of the curses Balak sought.

The historical context of this verse reflects the political and religious dynamics of the ancient Near East, where diviners and seers played important roles in state affairs. The theme of divine intervention is central, as Balaam's decisions and actions are guided by God, despite Balaam not being an Israelite. This underscores the sovereignty of the Israelite God over all nations and His protection of His people. The narrative also explores themes of obedience, the nature of true prophecy, and the tension between human desires and divine will. Balaam's story serves as a unique example within the Bible of a non-Israelite prophet who is granted a direct encounter with the God of Israel and is used to communicate His messages.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H8269
   There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׂר
   Transliteration: sar
   Pronunciation: sar
   Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
4. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3985
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָאֵן
   Transliteration: mâʼên
   Pronunciation: maw-ane'
   Description: a primitive root; to refuse; refuse, [idiom] utterly.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1980
   There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַךְ
   Transliteration: hâlak
   Pronunciation: haw-lak'
   Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.