King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Balak again sent princes, more of them and of higher status than the first group.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.
American Standard Version:
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Balak{H1111} sent{H7971} yet again{H3254} princes{H8269}, more{H7227}, and more honourable{H3513} than they.
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 10:7
- And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
Acts 10:8
- And when he had declared all [these] things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Numbers 22:7
- And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
Numbers 22:8
- And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 22:15
1. **Themes:**
- Persistence in one's purpose: Despite Balak's initial unsuccessful attempt to hire Balaam, he does not give up but instead sends more princes to persuade him.
- The power of honor and wealth: Balak uses the allure of increased honor and presumably wealth to entice Balaam to comply with his request, highlighting how these can be used as leverage.
- Spiritual conflict: The narrative reflects an underlying tension between the desire for divine favor and the manipulation of spiritual figures for personal gain.
2. **Historical Context:**
- Numbers 22:15 is set within the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. Balak, king of Moab, is alarmed by the approaching Israelites and seeks to curse them through the renowned diviner Balaam, believing this will weaken them and ensure Moab's safety.
- The incident occurs during the period when the Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, preparing to enter Canaan.
- The story reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of hiring diviners or prophets to invoke curses or blessings, demonstrating the contemporary belief in the power of the spoken word to influence supernatural forces.
- This event also illustrates the political and military concerns of the time, with smaller nations like Moab feeling threatened by the presence of the large and seemingly invincible Israelite community.
In summary, Numbers 22:15 captures the theme of Balak's relentless efforts to secure Balaam's services, using increased honor and status as incentives, against the backdrop of the Israelites' journey and the common ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking divine intervention through prophetic figures.
*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: 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: 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). - Strong's Number: H3254
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָסַף
Transliteration: yâçaph
Pronunciation: yaw-saf'
Description: a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. - 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. - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H3513
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּבַד
Transliteration: kâbad
Pronunciation: kaw-bad'
Description: or כָּבֵד; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses); abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.