Joshua 24:10

KJV

But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I would {H14} not hearken {H8085} unto Balaam {H1109}; therefore he blessed {H1288} you still {H1288}: so I delivered {H5337} you out of his hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I refused to listen to Bil'am, and he actually blessed you. In this way I rescued you from him.

Berean Standard Bible

but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

American Standard Version

but I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 24:10 powerfully encapsulates God's unwavering sovereignty and protective faithfulness to Israel. In this pivotal moment of Joshua's farewell address, the Lord recounts His active intervention against Balak's attempt to curse His people through Balaam. God declares that He utterly refused to permit Balaam's malicious intent, instead compelling the prophet to bless Israel, thereby delivering them from the spiritual and potential physical threat posed by their adversaries. This verse stands as a profound testament to God's ultimate control over all powers and His steadfast commitment to His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 24:10 is embedded within Joshua's final, climactic address to the tribes of Israel at Shechem, a significant covenant renewal ceremony. This speech, beginning in [Joshua 24:1](/joshua/24-1 "Joshua 24:1 - Joshua Gathers the Tribes at Shechem"), serves as a historical recap of God's faithfulness from the call of Abraham through the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. Joshua recounts divine acts of deliverance and provision, culminating in the present moment of settled inheritance in the Promised Land. The reference to Balaam in verse 10 is part of this comprehensive historical review, specifically recalling the events detailed in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balak and Balaam"). This strategic placement emphasizes that God's protection against external threats was as crucial to their survival and success as His direct military interventions, reinforcing the call for Israel's exclusive devotion to the Lord.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Joshua 24:10 refer to a specific period during Israel's wilderness journey, just prior to their entry into Canaan, as they encamped on the plains of Moab. Balak, the king of Moab, deeply feared the vast numbers of the Israelites ([Numbers 22:3](/numbers/22-3 "Numbers 22:3 - Moab's Fear of Israel")). In the ancient Near East, it was a common practice for kings to employ diviners or prophets to pronounce curses upon their enemies, believing such pronouncements held supernatural power. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet from Pethor near the Euphrates, was renowned for his ability to bless or curse effectively ([Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak's Request to Balaam")). Balak's desperate act of hiring Balaam highlights the perceived potency of such curses and the existential threat Israel posed to Moab. God's intervention, preventing the curse and forcing a blessing, demonstrates His supreme authority over all spiritual forces and human machinations, establishing a critical precedent for Israel's understanding of divine protection.

* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**. God's declaration, "But I would not hearken unto Balaam," unequivocally asserts His absolute control over all circumstances and His unwavering commitment to safeguarding His chosen people. This demonstrates that no human or demonic power can thwart God’s ultimate plan for His people, a truth echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Secondly, the theme of **Curse Turned to Blessing** is prominent. Instead of allowing a curse, God compelled Balaam to utter blessings upon Israel, transforming an intended evil into a profound good. This miraculous reversal is a testament to God's power and His covenant faithfulness, explicitly confirmed in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"). Finally, the theme of **God's Deliverance** is central, emphasized by the phrase "so I delivered you out of his hand." This highlights that Israel's safety and success were not due to their own might or wisdom, but solely to God's direct, active intervention, a consistent pattern of divine rescue throughout their history, from the Exodus ([Exodus 14:30](/exodus/14-30 "Exodus 14:30 - The Lord Delivered Israel")) to the conquest of Canaan ([Joshua 10:42](/joshua/10-42 "Joshua 10:42 - The Lord Fought for Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearken (Hebrew, _šāmaʿ_):** While often translated as "to hear" or "to listen," in this context, _šāmaʿ_ carries the stronger connotation of "to obey," "to grant a request," or "to comply." God's declaration, "I would not hearken unto Balaam," signifies His absolute refusal to concede to Balaam's evil intentions or to permit his words to have the desired effect of cursing Israel. It underscores God's active, sovereign will to prevent harm to His people, effectively blocking the curse from being uttered or taking root.
* **blessed (Hebrew, _bārak_):** This verb means "to bless," "to praise," or "to kneel." Here, it refers to the divine compulsion upon Balaam to pronounce blessings upon Israel, despite his and Balak's desire to curse them. This is a miraculous reversal, demonstrating God's power to not only prevent evil but to transform it into its opposite, turning an intended malediction into a benediction.
* **delivered (Hebrew, _nāṣal_):** This verb means "to deliver," "to rescue," "to snatch away," or "to pull out." It implies an active, forceful act of rescue from danger or oppression. The phrase "so I delivered you out of his hand" emphasizes God's direct and personal intervention to snatch Israel away from the spiritual and potential physical peril represented by Balaam's curses and Balak's hostile intentions. It highlights God as the sole source of their security and salvation in this instance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I would not hearken unto Balaam":** This clause reveals God's absolute sovereignty and His protective stance over Israel. Despite Balak's persistent efforts and Balaam's willingness to curse for profit, God explicitly states His refusal to allow the curse to take effect. This signifies that God's will is supreme, overriding any human or demonic machinations. It demonstrates that no power, whether spiritual or political, can compel God to act against His covenant purposes for His people.
* **"therefore he blessed you still":** This phrase describes the miraculous reversal orchestrated by God. Because God "would not hearken" to Balaam's intent to curse, He compelled Balaam to utter blessings instead. This was not a change of heart on Balaam's part, but a divine imposition, forcing the prophet to speak words of blessing that affirmed God's promises to Israel. This transformation of an intended curse into a blessing highlights God's power to turn evil into good and to use even His adversaries to accomplish His purposes.
* **"so I delivered you out of his hand":** This final clause emphasizes the outcome of God's intervention: Israel's deliverance. The "hand" of Balaam represents the spiritual and political threat posed by his curses and Balak's hostility. God's act of "delivering" them signifies His active rescue, snatching Israel from the grasp of intended harm. This underscores that Israel's preservation was not due to their own strength or wisdom, but solely to God's direct, protective intervention, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness and rescue throughout their history.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Divine Monologue** is central, as God speaks directly through Joshua, lending immense authority and weight to the pronouncement. This direct speech emphasizes God's personal involvement and active role in Israel's history. **Contrast** is starkly evident between Balak's malicious intent (to curse) and God's benevolent action (to bless and deliver). This juxtaposition highlights God's supreme power to subvert evil and bring about His good purposes. The verse also functions as a form of **Retrospection** or **Recap**, as Joshua recounts a past, pivotal event to remind the Israelites of God's consistent faithfulness. This historical recounting serves to bolster their faith and reinforce the call for covenant obedience. Finally, the phrase "out of his hand" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "hand" stands in for Balaam's power, influence, or the threat he represented. This vivid imagery conveys the totality of God's rescue from a formidable adversary.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 24:10 stands as a powerful theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, His unyielding faithfulness to His covenant, and His active protection of His people. It demonstrates that God's will cannot be thwarted by human malice or even by the supernatural forces employed by those who oppose Him. The episode with Balaam serves as a profound illustration that God can not only prevent evil from harming His chosen ones but can also compel it to serve His good purposes, turning curses into blessings. This truth underpins the security of believers across all generations, assuring them that their ultimate well-being rests in the hands of a God who is both omnipotent and deeply committed to His promises. The verse reinforces the biblical narrative that salvation and deliverance are ultimately from the Lord, not from human strength or wisdom.

* [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse")
* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 24:10 offers immense encouragement and a deep wellspring of trust for believers navigating the complexities of life today. It reminds us that our God is not a passive observer but an active, sovereign protector who intervenes on behalf of His people. In a world where we often feel vulnerable to the ill intentions of others, or overwhelmed by circumstances that seem beyond our control, this verse assures us that God's hand is ultimately supreme. Just as He prevented Balaam's curses from harming ancient Israel, He continues to watch over and deliver His children from spiritual attacks, malicious gossip, or any form of opposition that seeks to undermine His purposes for us. We can find profound peace knowing that any curses or ill intentions directed our way are ultimately subject to God's will, and that He possesses the power to transform them into blessings, using even our adversaries to refine and strengthen us. This calls us to cultivate a posture of radical trust, remembering God's past faithfulness as an unshakeable assurance for His future protection and provision in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's intervention in the Balaam narrative strengthen your trust in His sovereignty today, especially when facing opposition?**
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God turning a difficult or intended negative situation into a blessing in your own life?**
* **What "hands" or influences (e.g., fear, anxiety, spiritual attacks, malicious words) do you need God to deliver you from, and how does this verse encourage you to pray for that deliverance?**

### FAQ
**Who was Balaam, and why did God "not hearken" to him?**

Answer: Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet or diviner from Mesopotamia, renowned in the ancient Near East for his ability to pronounce effective blessings and curses. He was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites because Balak feared their vast numbers as they encamped near his territory ([Numbers 22:5-6](/numbers/22-5 "Numbers 22:5-6 - Balak Sends for Balaam")). God "not hearkening" to Balaam means that God utterly refused to permit Balaam's curses to take effect. Despite Balaam's desire for payment and Balak's persistent demands, God directly intervened, compelling Balaam to speak only blessings upon Israel. This demonstrates God's absolute control over all powers, including pagan prophets and their pronouncements, ensuring that His will for His people would prevail.

**How does this event demonstrate God's sovereignty?**

Answer: The Balaam narrative is a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty because it illustrates His complete control over human will and supernatural forces. Despite Balak's malicious intent and Balaam's initial willingness to curse Israel for financial gain, God directly intervened in Balaam's life, overriding his intentions and compelling him to speak blessings instead. This shows that no plan or power, whether human or spiritual, can thwart God's ultimate purpose for His people. God's will is supreme, and He can even use the actions of His adversaries to achieve His own benevolent ends, as highlighted in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - Many Plans, but the Lord's Purpose Prevails"). The entire episode underscores that God is the ultimate authority, and His covenant promises to Israel are unshakeable.

**What does "delivered you out of his hand" signify?**

Answer: The phrase "delivered you out of his hand" signifies God's active, direct, and powerful rescue of Israel from the spiritual and potential physical harm intended by Balaam's curses and Balak's hostility. "His hand" here represents the power, influence, and malicious intent of Balaam and, by extension, Balak. It emphasizes that Israel's safety and preservation in this critical moment were not due to their own strength, wisdom, or military might, but solely to God's protective intervention. This concept of divine deliverance is a consistent theme throughout Israel's history, from their rescue from Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 14:30](/exodus/14-30 "Exodus 14:30 - The Lord Delivered Israel")) to their successful entry into the Promised Land, reinforcing that their ultimate security rests in God's mighty hand.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 24:10, with its powerful declaration of God's sovereign protection and His ability to turn curses into blessings, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel from the intended curses of Balaam, Christ delivers humanity from the ultimate curse of sin and death. The cross, intended by the powers of darkness and human sin as the ultimate curse and defeat, was transformed by God into the ultimate blessing and victory, securing salvation for all who believe. Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), thereby turning the very instrument of our condemnation into the means of our eternal blessing. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the spiritual forces of evil and triumphed over them ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), delivering us from the "hand" of Satan and the dominion of darkness ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Dominion of Darkness")). Believers are now eternally secure in Christ, knowing that no curse, no accusation, and no power can separate them from the love of God in Him ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-38 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")). He is the ultimate Deliverer, whose sacrifice ensures that all things, even those intended for harm, work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 22:11

Behold, [there is] a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

Numbers 22:12

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they [are] blessed.

Numbers 23:3

And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.

Numbers 23:12

And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

Deuteronomy 23:5

Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

Numbers 22:18

And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

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.