Numbers 24:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now you had better escape to your own place! I had planned to reward you very well, but now ADONAI has deprived you of payment."

Berean Standard Bible:

Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

American Standard Version:

Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, Jehovah hath kept thee back from honor.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Therefore now flee^{H1272} thou to thy place^{H4725}: I thought^{H559} to promote^{H3513} thee unto great^{H3513} honour^{H3513}; but, lo, the LORD^{H3068} hath kept thee back^{H4513} from honour^{H3519}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 24:11

Numbers 24:11 is part of the narrative involving Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and Balak, the king of Moab. Balak had summoned Balaam to curse the Israelites who were encamped near Moab, posing a threat to the Moabites. Despite Balak's offer of honor and riches, Balaam could only bless Israel as directed by God.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Sovereignty:** The verse underscores that God's will supersedes human plans and desires. Balaam acknowledges that it is the Lord who has prevented him from honoring Balak's request to curse Israel, reinforcing the theme that God is in control of all outcomes.
2. **Prophetic Integrity:** Balaam's response to Balak shows a prophet bound by the divine message, even when it conflicts with personal gain or the wishes of powerful individuals.
3. **Israel's Protection:** The broader context of the chapter illustrates God's protection of Israel. Balaam's inability to curse Israel demonstrates God's favor towards His people.

**Historical Context:**
This event occurs during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land. The Moabites, fearing the large number of Israelites, sought supernatural means to weaken or destroy them. The interaction between Balaam and Balak reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in the power of blessings and curses, as well as the practice of hiring prophets or seers to manipulate spiritual forces. However, the narrative subverts these expectations by showing that the God of Israel cannot be manipulated and that His plans for His people will prevail.

*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: H1272
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּרַח
   Transliteration: bârach
   Pronunciation: baw-rakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly; chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4725
   There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָקוֹם
   Transliteration: mâqôwm
   Pronunciation: maw-kome'
   Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4513
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָנַע
   Transliteration: mânaʻ
   Pronunciation: maw-nah'
   Description: a primitive root; to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury; deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain, withhold.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3519
   There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבוֹד
   Transliteration: kâbôwd
   Pronunciation: kaw-bode'
   Description: rarely כָּבֹד; from כָּבַד; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).