Joshua 24:9

KJV

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Balak {H1111} the son {H1121} of Zippor {H6834}, king {H4428} of Moab {H4124}, arose {H6965} and warred {H3898} against Israel {H3478}, and sent {H7971} and called {H7121} Balaam {H1109} the son {H1121} of Beor {H1160} to curse {H7043} you:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Mo'av, rose up and fought against Isra'el. He sent and summoned Bil'am the son of B'or to put a curse on you.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,

American Standard Version

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel: and he sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 24:9, situated within Joshua's final, poignant address to Israel at Shechem, functions as a potent historical anchor, vividly recalling God's unwavering faithfulness and protective hand over His people. This verse specifically recounts the malicious plot of Balak, king of Moab, who, perceiving Israel as a formidable threat during their wilderness journey, sought to undermine God's redemptive purposes by enlisting the renowned Mesopotamian diviner, Balaam, to pronounce curses against the nascent nation. The inclusion of this incident in Joshua's farewell speech powerfully underscores the absolute futility of human and supernatural opposition against the sovereign will of the Almighty, thereby laying a crucial foundation for Joshua's subsequent call to steadfast covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 24 serves as the climactic conclusion to the book of Joshua, detailing a pivotal covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem. Following the successful conquest and subsequent division of the Promised Land, Joshua, now aged and nearing his death, convenes all the tribes of Israel. His address commences with a comprehensive historical prologue, meticulously recounting God's gracious and powerful acts from the initial call of [Abraham](/genesis/12 "Genesis 12 - The Call of Abraham") through the Exodus, the arduous wilderness journey, and the eventual conquest of Canaan. This sweeping historical review, which spans from [Genesis](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") up to [Joshua 23](/joshua/23 "Joshua 23 - Joshua's Farewell Exhortation"), is designed to impress upon the people their solemn covenant obligations and to remind them of God's consistent and steadfast loyalty. Verse 9 specifically recalls a significant incident from their recent past, detailed extensively in the book of [Numbers](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam and Balak"), emphasizing God's miraculous intervention even against spiritual warfare, thereby reinforcing the imperative for Israel to "fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness" as exhorted in [Joshua 24:14](/joshua/24-14 "Joshua 24:14 - Serve the Lord with Faithfulness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific incident involving Balak and Balaam unfolded as the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, poised on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. Balak, as the reigning king of Moab, viewed the immense numbers and the formidable military potential of the Israelite multitude as an immediate and existential threat to the sovereignty and security of his kingdom. In the broader ancient Near Eastern cultural landscape, it was a widespread and accepted practice for rulers and communities to employ diviners, seers, or prophets to invoke divine favor or, conversely, to pronounce potent curses upon their adversaries. These spiritual pronouncements were believed to possess tangible, efficacious power. Balaam, hailing from Pethor in Mesopotamia, had garnered a widespread reputation for his uncanny ability to bless or curse, making him an exceptionally sought-after and influential figure. Balak's strategic decision to hire Balaam, rather than immediately engaging in direct military confrontation, powerfully illuminates the pervasive cultural belief in the efficacy and necessity of supernatural warfare. Joshua's deliberate recounting of this event in his farewell address underscores its profound historical significance and the indelible theological lesson it imparted: even the most potent spiritual attacks, meticulously orchestrated by powerful rulers and executed by renowned diviners, were utterly powerless and ultimately futile against the sovereign God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 24:9 profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphatically highlights **God's Unwavering Protection and Sovereignty** over His chosen people. Despite Balak's malevolent intentions and Balaam's formidable reputation as a diviner, God actively and miraculously intervened to prevent any curse from being uttered, thereby demonstrating that His divine plans cannot be thwarted or undermined by human machinations or even by demonic schemes. This incident vividly illustrates the **Futility of Opposition Against God's People**, reinforcing the profound theological truth articulated later by Paul, that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" as found in [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is For Us"). Furthermore, the detailed narrative in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - The Story of Balaam and Balak") reveals a remarkable aspect of **Divine Sovereignty Turning Curses into Blessings**, where God not only prevented Balaam from cursing Israel but, with divine compulsion, compelled him to pronounce blessings instead. This transformative and redemptive power of God is explicitly echoed in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"), which states with clarity that "the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you." Finally, Joshua's act of recounting this specific event serves as a crucial exercise in **Remembering God's Faithfulness**, urging the new generation of Israelites to recall the mighty and miraculous acts of God in their collective history as a foundational pillar for their present trust and future obedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Balak (Hebrew, _Bâlâq'_):** From H1111, meaning "waster." This name is highly significant, as it reflects the character and intent of the Moabitish king. Balak sought to "waste" or destroy Israel, either through military means or, as the narrative reveals, through a spiritual curse. His name subtly foreshadows his destructive ambition against God's people, an ambition that ultimately proves futile against divine sovereignty.
* **Warred (Hebrew, _lâcham'_):** From H3898, meaning "to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction); devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring)." While the primary account in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - The Story of Balaam and Balak") does not detail a conventional military conflict between Moab and Israel at this specific juncture, Joshua's use of _lâcham_ here implies a profound hostile intent and active opposition. Balak's "war" was initially a spiritual one, seeking to "consume" or undermine Israel through supernatural means rather than direct physical combat. This highlights that warfare, in a biblical sense, encompasses more than just physical battles; it includes strategic, political, and spiritual antagonism. Joshua's choice of "warred" emphasizes Balak's aggressive posture and the serious nature of his attempt to destroy Israel.
* **To curse (Hebrew, _qâlal'_):** From H7043, meaning "to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.); abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), [idiom] slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet." While the more specific and potent verb for cursing in the Balaam narrative is often _qābab_ (which denotes a binding, ritualistic curse), the use of _qâlal_ here by Joshua broadens the scope to encompass a general intent to "bring into contempt" or "make vile" Israel. Balak sought Balaam precisely for this specialized ability to invoke a powerful, effective imprecation that would, in his belief, guarantee Israel's defeat by diminishing their strength and favor. The fact that Balaam was utterly unable to utter such a curse, and instead was compelled by God to bless, underscores the absolute supremacy of Yahweh over all other spiritual forces and human machinations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose":** This initial clause introduces the primary antagonist, Balak, providing his name, his lineage ("son of Zippor"), and his royal office ("king of Moab"). The verb "arose" signifies his decisive initiative and determined action taken in response to the perceived existential threat posed by Israel's presence. It effectively sets the immediate scene for the hostile actions that follow.
* **"and warred against Israel,":** As elaborated in the Key Word Analysis, this phrase refers not to a conventional military engagement but to Balak's aggressive and hostile intent, which primarily manifested through his strategic attempt to employ spiritual warfare via the diviner Balaam. It powerfully conveys his active opposition and his fervent desire to inflict harm upon the nation of Israel.
* **"and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor":** This segment meticulously details Balak's specific and calculated strategy to execute his "warfare." He dispatched official messengers to summon Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet or diviner, from his distant homeland in Mesopotamia. The dual action of "sent and called" emphatically underscores Balak's desperation and the extraordinary lengths to which he was willing to go in order to neutralize the perceived Israelite threat.
* **"to curse you:":** This concluding clause unequivocally states the explicit, malevolent purpose behind Balak's summoning of Balaam. He ardently desired a powerful, supernatural imprecation against Israel, firmly believing that a divine curse would debilitate them and consequently allow him to achieve victory over them. The direct address "you" refers personally to the Israelites whom Joshua is addressing in his farewell speech, thereby making this historical event profoundly relevant and immediate to the present generation.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 24:9 masterfully employs several literary devices to amplify its impact within the broader context of Joshua's farewell address. The most prominent device is **Recapitulation**, as Joshua intentionally recounts a specific, well-known historical event from the recent past. This act of remembering serves a crucial didactic purpose, reminding the Israelites of God's unwavering faithfulness and strengthening their resolve for future obedience. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this past deliverance from a potent spiritual attack subtly foreshadows God's continued and unfailing protection over His people against all future forms of opposition, whether physical or spiritual. Furthermore, the broader narrative from which this verse is drawn ([Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - The Story of Balaam and Balak")) is rich in **Irony**: Balak's desperate and costly attempt to invoke a curse upon Israel ultimately results in Balaam being divinely compelled to pronounce blessings upon them repeatedly. This profound divine subversion of hostile intent into a beneficial outcome powerfully highlights God's absolute sovereign control over even the words and actions of His adversaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 24:9 powerfully encapsulates the overarching biblical theme of God's sovereign and protective care over His covenant people. It serves as a profound demonstration that Yahweh is not merely a localized tribal deity but the supreme and omnipotent God whose divine will cannot be thwarted by human rulers, political machinations, or even by the potent supernatural forces invoked by renowned diviners. The incident with Balak and Balaam stands as a profound testament to God's active and miraculous intervention on behalf of Israel, transforming an intended curse into a resounding blessing. This divine reversal underscores the absolute futility of any opposition mounted against God's purposes and highlights His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It is a foundational narrative for understanding God as the ultimate defender, provider, and champion for His elect, a truth that resonates powerfully throughout the entire sweep of salvation history.

* [Numbers 22:1-6](/numbers/22-1-6 "Numbers 22:1-6 - Balak Summons Balaam to Curse Israel")
* [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel")
* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 24:9, by recalling God's past, miraculous deliverance from Balak's spiritual assault, offers profound encouragement and vital practical application for believers today. In a world where we frequently encounter various forms of opposition—whether from societal pressures, personal struggles, or the unseen spiritual forces that wage war against us as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")—this verse serves as a powerful reminder that our God is an active, vigilant Protector who consistently intervenes on behalf of His people. Just as Balak's malevolent curses were rendered utterly powerless, so too are the schemes and machinations of our adversaries when we are faithfully aligned with God's sovereign will. We are called to diligently remember God's unwavering faithfulness in our own lives and in the broader, sweeping history of His redemptive work, drawing profound confidence from the immutable truth that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" as triumphantly declared in [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is For Us"). This historical account is designed to build and fortify our faith, assuring us with certainty that God can indeed turn what others intend for harm into ultimate good for those who love Him and are called according to His divine purpose, a promise beautifully articulated in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good"). Our appropriate response, therefore, should be one of unwavering trust, steadfast faith, and faithful obedience, knowing with absolute certainty that the Lord Himself actively fights for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, as Joshua encourages, strengthen your trust in Him for present and future challenges in your own life?**
* **In what specific ways might you be tempted to fear "curses" or various forms of opposition in your life, and how does the story of Balak and Balaam fundamentally reframe your perspective on such threats?**
* **What does God's remarkable ability to turn an intended curse into a blessing reveal about His character, His power, and His sovereign control over all circumstances?**
* **How can you actively "remember" and recount God's mighty acts and faithful interventions in your own personal life and in the life of your community, mirroring Joshua's powerful address?**

### FAQ
**Did Balak truly "war" against Israel in a physical sense, or was it primarily a spiritual conflict?**

Answer: While Joshua 24:9 explicitly states that Balak "warred against Israel," the more detailed and expansive account found in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - The Story of Balaam and Balak") primarily describes a spiritual and strategic conflict rather than a conventional military engagement. Balak's "warfare" was his desperate attempt to hire Balaam to supernaturally curse Israel, firmly believing that such a potent curse would weaken them spiritually and physically, thereby allowing him to defeat them. There is no historical record of a direct, large-scale military confrontation between Moab and Israel at this specific juncture. Joshua's use of the term "warred" in his address emphasizes Balak's hostile intent and aggressive opposition, even if the primary means of attack was spiritual and divinatory rather than conventional military force. It highlights the biblical understanding that warfare against God's people can manifest in many forms beyond the physical battlefield.

**Who was Balaam, and why was he so significant in this narrative?**

Answer: Balaam, identified as "the son of Beor" in [Joshua 24:9](/joshua/24-9 "Joshua 24:9 - Balak and Balaam"), was a non-Israelite diviner or prophet originating from Pethor in Mesopotamia. He had gained widespread renown throughout the ancient Near East for his perceived extraordinary ability to bless or curse effectively, indicating a recognized connection to supernatural power and insight. Balak specifically sought him out because of this formidable reputation, believing that Balaam possessed the unique capacity to manipulate divine forces to bring about Israel's downfall. His profound significance in the biblical narrative lies not only in his prophetic abilities but, more importantly, in the fact that God Himself intervened directly through Balaam, compelling him against his own will and Balak's desires to utter powerful blessings upon Israel instead of curses. This divine intervention served as an unequivocal demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over all spiritual powers and human agents, even those operating outside of His covenant people.

**Why is this specific incident recalled by Joshua in his farewell address to the Israelites?**

Answer: Joshua deliberately recalls the incident of Balak and Balaam in his farewell address to serve as a profoundly powerful and enduring reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign protection over Israel. By recounting this pivotal event, Joshua emphatically underscores that even when faced with the most potent spiritual attacks and the malevolent intent of powerful enemies, God actively and miraculously intervened to defend His people and to transform intended harm into ultimate blessing. This historical precedent was absolutely crucial for the new generation of Israelites who were now fully settled in the Promised Land, reinforcing the vital message that their security, prosperity, and very existence depended entirely on God's omnipotent power and their continued, faithful obedience to His covenant. It powerfully underscores the overarching theme that "the Lord your God loves you" and will always contend for and protect His people, as affirmed in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The historical incident of Balak and Balaam, so pointedly recalled in [Joshua 24:9](/joshua/24-9 "Joshua 24:9 - Balak and Balaam"), finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God sovereignly intervened to turn Balak's intended curse into a blessing for Israel through the unwilling mouth of Balaam, so too did God take the ultimate curse of sin and death—a curse meticulously intended by Satan and brought about by human rebellion—and miraculously transform it into the greatest blessing of salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life through the crucifixion and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Christ Himself became "a curse for us" as proclaimed in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"), willingly bearing the full, crushing weight of divine judgment and the penalty for our sins so that we, by faith, might receive the promised blessing of the Holy Spirit and inherit the promises made to Abraham, as further illuminated in [Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - That We Might Receive the Blessing"). His decisive victory on the cross disarmed and triumphed over the spiritual powers and authorities, as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers"), rendering Satan's schemes, the world's opposition, and all forms of spiritual warfare utterly powerless against those who are united with Him. The Church, as the spiritual Israel, stands eternally secure in Christ, knowing with unwavering certainty that no weapon forged against us will ultimately prevail, and no curse can stand, because the Lamb of God has definitively "taken away the sin of the world" as declared in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and promises abundant, overflowing life in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life"). In Christ, every intended curse is not merely averted but fundamentally reversed, yielding eternal blessing and confirming God's unwavering, unshakeable love for His redeemed people, a love from which nothing can separate us, as triumphantly stated in [Romans 8:39](/romans/8-39 "Romans 8:39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love").

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

Judges 11:25

And now [art] thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,

Numbers 22:2

And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

Micah 6:5

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 23:4

Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

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 22:5

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Numbers 22:21

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.