King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on [every] altar a bullock and a ram.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Balak did as Bil'am said; then Balak and Bil'am offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Berean Standard Bible:
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
American Standard Version:
And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Balak{H1111} did{H6213} as Balaam{H1109} had spoken{H1696}; and Balak{H1111} and Balaam{H1109} offered{H5927} on every altar{H4196} a bullock{H6499} and a ram{H352}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 23:14
- And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.
Numbers 23:30
- And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 23:2
**Themes:**
- Prophetic Obedience: Balak, the king of Moab, follows the instructions given by the prophet Balaam, highlighting the theme of obedience to divine directives, even when the prophet's intentions may be self-serving or the recipient is a non-Israelite.
- Divine Sovereignty: The narrative underscores the sovereignty of God, as Balaam, initially intending to curse Israel, can only bless them due to divine intervention, illustrating God's power over human plans and pagan practices.
- Worship and Sacrifice: The act of offering sacrifices on altars reflects the ancient belief in appeasing deities, but in the context of Numbers, it also demonstrates an attempt to manipulate divine favor, which ultimately fails against God's will.
**Historical Context:**
- Time Period: The events of Numbers 23:2 occur during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, after their exodus from Egypt and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai.
- Balak and Moab: Balak, king of Moab, is fearful of the Israelites, who are camped near his territory. He believes that by cursing Israel, he can weaken them and ensure Moab's security.
- Balaam: Balaam is a non-Israelite prophet whom Balak hires to curse Israel. Despite his willingness to accept Balak's commission, Balaam can only speak the blessings that God puts in his mouth, demonstrating God's protection over Israel and His ability to speak through even a reluctant prophet.
- Israelite-Moabite Relations: The Moabites, descendants of Lot, have a complex relationship with the Israelites, ranging from kinship to enmity. This incident reflects the tensions between the two groups as the Israelites move towards Canaan.
In summary, Numbers 23:2 captures a moment where human efforts to alter divine will through ritual and prophetic manipulation are thwarted, reinforcing the themes of God's protection of Israel and the futility of opposing His plans through such means.
*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: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - 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: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - Strong's Number: H5927
There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָלָה
Transliteration: ʻâlâh
Pronunciation: aw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. - Strong's Number: H4196
There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
Transliteration: mizbêach
Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar. - Strong's Number: H6499
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּר
Transliteration: par
Pronunciation: par
Description: or פָּר; from פָּרַר; a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof); ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. - Strong's Number: H352
There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַיִל
Transliteration: ʼayil
Pronunciation: ah'-yil
Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.