Numbers 22:15

KJV

¶ And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balak {H1111} sent {H7971} yet again {H3254} princes {H8269}, more {H7227}, and more honourable {H3513} than they.

Complete Jewish Bible

Balak again sent princes, more of them and of higher status than the first group.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.

American Standard Version

And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:15 details King Balak of Moab's intensified efforts to secure the services of the prophet Balaam, sending a second, more prestigious delegation after his initial attempt to hire Balaam to curse Israel was rejected. This verse marks a pivotal moment of escalating pressure and temptation, revealing Balak's stubborn refusal to accept God's initial prohibition and setting the stage for the unfolding drama where divine will ultimately triumphs over human machinations and persistent opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 22:15 is situated within the broader narrative of Balak's desperate attempts to thwart Israel's advance towards the Promised Land. The preceding verses establish the initial encounter: Balak, terrified by Israel's size and recent victories, sends messengers to Balaam to curse them [Numbers 22:3](/numbers/22-3 "Numbers 22:3 - Balak's Fear of Israel"). God explicitly forbids Balaam from going or cursing His people [Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God Forbids Balaam"), a message Balaam relays to the first delegation [Numbers 22:13](/numbers/22-13 "Numbers 22:13 - Balaam's Initial Refusal"). Verse 15 thus represents Balak's immediate and determined response to this setback, highlighting his unwillingness to accept God's "no" and his resolve to escalate his efforts, believing that greater inducements and status might sway the prophet. It sets the stage for God's subsequent, complex interaction with Balaam, where permission is granted with strict caveats, leading to the famous talking donkey narrative [Numbers 22:22-35](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22-35 - Balaam and the Donkey").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, were strategically significant as Israel approached the Promised Land. Balak, as king of Moab, perceived the Israelites as an existential threat, particularly given their recent victories over the Amorites. In the ancient Near East, the practice of hiring professional diviners or prophets to pronounce curses or blessings was common, believed to influence the outcome of battles or events. Such individuals were thought to possess potent spiritual power. Balak's strategy of sending "princes, more, and more honourable" was a standard diplomatic tactic: higher-ranking emissaries carried greater authority, conveyed the king's earnestness, and were often empowered to offer more substantial rewards, appealing to the prophet's potential greed or desire for prestige. This cultural understanding underscores the immense pressure Balaam was placed under, as refusing such a high-level delegation could have political repercussions beyond mere financial loss.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Numbers 22 and the broader book. It vividly illustrates the **persistence of opposition** against God's chosen people and His divine plan, as Balak refuses to yield despite clear divine intervention. It also highlights the theme of **temptation and compromise**, as Balaam is increasingly pressured by worldly allurements and status, testing his obedience to God's initial command. Furthermore, it foreshadows the **sovereignty of God** and His unchangeable purpose, demonstrating that no human scheme or curse can ultimately thwart His will to bless Israel, as later affirmed in Balaam's divinely inspired oracles [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel") and [Numbers 23:20](/numbers/23-20 "Numbers 23:20 - God's Blessing on Israel"). The narrative underscores that God's protective hand over His covenant people cannot be overcome by external forces.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate act of dispatching or sending forth. Its repetition from [Numbers 22:5](/numbers/22-5 "Numbers 22:5 - Balak's First Dispatch") emphasizes Balak's renewed and determined effort, indicating not a casual request but a persistent, strategic move to achieve his objective.
* **Princes (Hebrew, _sarim'_):** Refers to high-ranking officials or chieftains. The term denotes political and social authority. The fact that Balak sent "princes" again, rather than mere messengers, underscores the gravity of his request and his willingness to use his most influential representatives to sway Balaam.
* **Honourable (Hebrew, _kavedim'_):** Derived from the root meaning "heavy" or "weighty," this term implies not just social status but also wealth, influence, and gravitas. The phrase "more, and more honourable than they" indicates a qualitative and quantitative escalation. These new delegates possessed greater prestige, presumably carried more enticing offers, and represented a more formidable diplomatic force, designed to make Balaam's refusal exceedingly difficult.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Balak sent yet again princes,"**: This clause signifies Balak's determined persistence. Despite the clear divine prohibition communicated by Balaam through the first delegation, Balak refuses to accept defeat. The phrase "yet again" highlights his stubborn will and refusal to acknowledge God's authority over the situation, indicating a heightened level of commitment to his objective.
* **"more, and more honourable than they."**: This phrase describes the qualitative and quantitative increase in the second delegation. "More" implies a larger number of emissaries, while "more honourable" indicates that these new princes held higher status, greater influence, and likely carried more attractive inducements than the previous group. This was a deliberate and calculated strategy by Balak to apply greater pressure, appeal to Balaam's greed or ambition, and make the king's request appear irresistible, thereby testing Balaam's resolve and obedience to God.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and dramatic tension. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly of the act of "sending" and the concept of "more." Balak "sent yet again" (repetition of action), and the princes were "more, and more honourable" (repetition and intensification of quantity and quality). This repetition emphasizes Balak's stubborn persistence and his escalating efforts to achieve his goal despite divine intervention. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Balak's increased pressure foreshadows the intense spiritual battle Balaam will face and the ultimate revelation of God's unthwartable will. The verse also sets up a **Contrast** between Balak's relentless human will and God's sovereign, unchanging purpose, which will be dramatically demonstrated in the subsequent narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:15 vividly illustrates the persistent nature of opposition to God's divine plan and the subtle, yet powerful, allure of worldly temptation. Balak's refusal to accept God's initial "no" to Balaam's journey underscores a common human tendency to resist divine will when it conflicts with personal desires or perceived threats. This escalation of pressure, through "more honourable" princes and presumably greater rewards, serves as a theological warning about how temptation often returns with increased intensity or more attractive guises after an initial refusal. Yet, the narrative ultimately affirms God's unwavering sovereignty and His protective care over His people, demonstrating that no human scheme or curse can overturn His blessing.

* [Deuteronomy 23:4-5](/deuteronomy/23-4 "God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Nehemiah 13:2](/nehemiah/13-2 "God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "He Who Is Often Rebuked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:15 serves as a profound reminder that the forces opposing God's will, both external and internal, often do not retreat after an initial setback; instead, they may return with greater intensity, more appealing offers, or more influential voices. For believers, this verse prompts vigilance against persistent temptations and pressures that seek to divert us from obedience to God. Just as Balak refined his strategy, so too can the challenges to our faith adapt and intensify. It calls us to examine our own hearts: are we susceptible to the allure of greater status, wealth, or influence, even when we know it contradicts God's clear directives? The steadfastness of God's promises, however, remains our ultimate assurance. Even in the face of overwhelming pressure, God's purposes for His people cannot be thwarted by human machinations. We are called to stand firm, trusting in His unchangeable word and His protective hand, knowing that He can turn even intended curses into blessings for those who walk in His ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I currently facing persistent pressure or temptation that resembles Balak's renewed efforts?**
* **How do I respond when an initial "no" to temptation is met with a "more honorable" or enticing offer?**
* **What specific "honorable" things (e.g., status, wealth, approval) might subtly compromise my commitment to God's clear commands?**
* **How does the unwavering sovereignty of God, as demonstrated in this narrative, strengthen my resolve to resist ungodly pressures?**

### FAQ
**Why did Balak send "more, and more honourable" princes, and what was his strategy?**

Answer: Balak sent a second delegation of "more, and more honourable" princes because his initial attempt to hire Balaam to curse Israel had failed. His strategy was multifaceted:
1. **Increased Pressure:** A larger, more prestigious delegation conveyed the king's extreme earnestness and the gravity of the situation, making it harder for Balaam to refuse.
2. **Higher Status:** "Honourable" (Hebrew _kavedim_) implies greater social standing, wealth, and influence. These princes could likely offer more substantial financial rewards and promises of prestige, appealing to Balaam's known weakness for gain.
3. **Diplomatic Weight:** In ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, sending higher-ranking officials was a sign of respect and serious intent, designed to impress and persuade. Balak hoped that such a delegation would overcome Balaam's initial refusal, which was based on God's explicit command [Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God Forbids Balaam"). Balak believed that if he applied enough pressure and offered enough incentive, he could sway Balaam, effectively trying to buy off divine will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 22:15, with Balak's persistent and escalating opposition to God's plan for Israel, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Balak's futile attempts to curse God's chosen people foreshadow the world's persistent, yet ultimately powerless, opposition to Christ and His church. Just as Balak sent "more, and more honourable" princes, the forces of darkness continually employ varied and intensified strategies to thwart God's redemptive purposes, from the temptations Christ faced in the wilderness [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus") to the persecution of His followers [Acts 4:1-22](/acts/4-1 "Acts 4:1-22 - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin"). Yet, the narrative of Balaam ultimately demonstrates that God's blessing on His people cannot be reversed, and indeed, He turns curses into blessings [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"). This finds its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ, who became a curse for us on the cross [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") to secure our blessing. He is the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice not only negates all curses but brings eternal life and reconciliation [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His death and resurrection, Christ definitively triumphed over all the powers of darkness [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"), establishing a kingdom that cannot be shaken and ensuring that God's blessings on His new covenant people, the church, are unassailable.

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.