King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon [every] altar a bullock and a ram.
Complete Jewish Bible:
God met Bil'am, who said to him, "I prepared the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Berean Standard Bible:
and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”
American Standard Version:
And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And God{H430} met{H7136} Balaam{H1109}: and he said{H559} unto him, I have prepared{H6186} seven{H7651} altars{H4196}, and I have offered{H5927} upon every altar{H4196} a bullock{H6499} and a ram{H352}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 23:16
- And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
Luke 18:12
- I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Ephesians 2:9
- Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 16:2
- They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Isaiah 58:3
- ¶ Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Isaiah 58:4
- Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Numbers 22:20
- And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, [and] go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 23:4
**Themes:**
- Divine Encounter: Numbers 23:4 highlights a direct communication between God and Balaam, emphasizing the theme of divine interaction with humanity.
- Prophetic Mission: Balaam's actions are part of a prophetic mission, showing that God can use even a non-Israelite prophet to fulfill His purposes.
- Ritual and Worship: The preparation of seven altars and the offering of bullocks and rams reflect the religious rituals of the time, emphasizing the importance of worship and sacrifice in seeking God's favor or discerning His will.
**Historical Context:**
- The verse is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- Balak, king of Moab, fearing the Israelites, hired Balaam to curse them. However, God had other plans and turned Balaam's intended curses into blessings.
- This event occurs in the context of a larger narrative where the Moabites and other nations are concerned about the growing power and number of the Israelites.
- The historical setting reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking divine favor or insight through animal sacrifices on altars, a common religious rite in the region.
In summary, Numbers 23:4 showcases God's sovereignty over prophetic utterances and His ability to communicate with and use various individuals, even those outside the Israelite community, to accomplish His will. The historical context underscores the religious practices of the time and the political tensions between the Israelites and their neighbors.
*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: 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: H7136
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָה
Transliteration: qârâh
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor); appoint, lay (make) beams, befall, bring, come (to pass unto), floor, (hap) was, happen (unto), meet, send good speed. - 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: H6186
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָרַךְ
Transliteration: ʻârak
Pronunciation: aw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications); put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value. - Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - 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: 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: 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.