Numbers 22:37

KJV

And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balak {H1111} said {H559} unto Balaam {H1109}, Did I not earnestly {H7971} send {H7971} unto thee to call {H7121} thee? wherefore camest {H1980} thou not unto me? am I not able {H3201} indeed {H552} to promote thee to honour {H3513}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Balak said to Bil'am, "I sent more than once to summon you! Why didn't you come to me? Did you think I couldn't pay you enough?"

Berean Standard Bible

And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to richly reward you?”

American Standard Version

And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:37 captures the exasperated confrontation between King Balak of Moab and the prophet Balaam upon Balaam's arrival. Balak, having urgently summoned Balaam to curse the formidable Israelite multitude, expresses his frustration over Balaam's delay, implying that the prophet's tardiness was due to a lack of sufficient incentive. He then reiterates his lavish offer of wealth and honor, believing that material promotion is the ultimate motivator, unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the divine intervention that truly hindered Balaam's journey.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Balaam's miraculous encounter with the angel of the Lord, who, visible only to his donkey, repeatedly blocked his path. The donkey's speaking and Balaam's subsequent realization of the divine obstruction (Numbers 22:22-35) directly precede his arrival at Balak's city. Balak's words in verse 37 reflect his impatience and ignorance of these supernatural events. The narrative flow highlights the tension between Balak's human schemes and God's sovereign control over Balaam's movements and speech. Balaam has already been instructed by God that he can go with Balak's men, but only to speak what God commands (Numbers 22:20). Balak's aggressive questioning here sets the stage for Balaam's constrained responses in the subsequent verses, where he repeatedly states he can only speak the words God puts in his mouth, frustrating Balak's intentions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had journeyed through the wilderness and were encamped in the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 22:1). Their recent victories over the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35) instilled profound fear in King Balak and the Moabites, who perceived the Israelites as an overwhelming threat. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for kings to employ diviners or seers to invoke curses upon enemies or blessings upon their own forces. Balak, therefore, sought Balaam, a renowned prophet from Pethor near the Euphrates, believing his magical or prophetic powers could turn the tide. Balak's persistence, sending multiple delegations with increasingly generous offers (Numbers 22:5-7, 15-17), underscores the cultural belief in the efficacy of such curses and the value placed on a diviner's services. His offer of "honour" (כָּבוֹד, _kābôd_) would have entailed significant wealth, status, and influence, a powerful temptation in that society.
* **Key Themes:** This exchange between Balak and Balaam highlights several pivotal themes. Firstly, it underscores **Human Desperation and Misunderstanding**. Balak's urgent summons and frustrated tone reveal his deep anxiety over the Israelite presence and his inability to grasp that Balaam's delay was due to divine intervention, not a lack of commitment or misunderstanding of the lucrative offer. Secondly, the passage vividly portrays **The Lure of Worldly Wealth and Honor**. Balak's direct question, "am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?", is a blatant attempt to appeal to Balaam's potential greed, contrasting sharply with the divine will that Balaam is supposed to obey. This theme foreshadows Balaam's later spiritual compromise, as alluded to in [2 Peter 2:15](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - The Way of Balaam") and [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Error of Balaam"). Finally, the entire narrative, including this confrontation, powerfully asserts **Divine Sovereignty Over Human Schemes**. Despite Balak's desperate attempts to manipulate events through a hired prophet and the promise of immense reward, God's ultimate plan for Israel's blessing cannot be thwarted by human machinations or even powerful curses, as demonstrated throughout [Numbers 23](/numbers/23 "Numbers 23 - Balaam's Oracles of Blessing") and [Numbers 24](/numbers/24 "Numbers 24 - Balaam's Final Oracles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"earnestly send" (Hebrew, _shalōaḥ shālaḥtî_):** This phrase employs an infinitive absolute before the finite verb, a common Hebrew grammatical construction used for emphasis. It literally means "sending, I sent" or "surely I sent." This intensifies Balak's question, highlighting his profound frustration and the great effort he believes he expended to summon Balaam. It conveys a sense of urgency, persistence, and perhaps even indignation that Balaam did not immediately comply with such a strenuous and important summons.
* **"promote thee to honour" (Hebrew, כַּבֵּד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ מְאֹד, _kabbēd 'akhabbēdkhā m'ōd_):** Similar to "earnestly send," this phrase uses the infinitive absolute of the verb כָּבַד (_kābad_, "to be heavy, glorious, honored") followed by the finite verb, intensified by the adverb מְאֹד (_m'ōd_, "very, greatly"). The literal translation is "honoring, I will honor you greatly" or "I will surely honor you very much." This repetition and intensification emphasize the immense and certain nature of the reward Balak promised. It speaks not only to substantial wealth but also to elevated status, public recognition, and influence. Balak believed this offer was irresistible and sufficient to secure Balaam's absolute loyalty and cooperation, underscoring the worldly pressures Balaam faced.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Balak said unto Balaam,"**: This simple introductory clause sets the scene, immediately placing the two key figures of the narrative in direct confrontation. It signals the beginning of a dialogue, which in this case is initiated by Balak's accusatory tone.
* **"Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee?"**: Balak's first rhetorical question expresses his indignation and impatience. The emphatic Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute) underscores his belief that he had done everything necessary and more to secure Balaam's presence. He is demanding an explanation for the perceived delay, assuming it was a failure on Balaam's part to respond adequately to his urgent and repeated summons.
* **"wherefore camest thou not unto me?"**: This follow-up question directly challenges Balaam's absence. Balak is seeking a justification for what he views as a dereliction of duty or a lack of respect for his royal command. He is entirely focused on the human side of the transaction, oblivious to or deliberately ignoring the divine intervention that had actually impeded Balaam's journey. His tone suggests a king accustomed to immediate obedience.
* **"am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?"**: This final rhetorical question is a thinly veiled reiteration of Balak's lavish offer and a subtle accusation. He implies that Balaam's delay must be due to a doubt about Balak's capacity or willingness to reward him sufficiently. By stressing his ability to "promote... to honour" (literally, "to greatly honor"), Balak reveals his primary leverage: worldly power, wealth, and status. He assumes that Balaam, like any other human, would be ultimately swayed by such material incentives, setting up a stark contrast with God's sovereign control over Balaam's words.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:37 effectively employs several literary devices to convey Balak's character and the underlying tension of the narrative. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, used three times by Balak. These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express Balak's frustration, indignation, and veiled accusation. They serve to assert his authority and to pressure Balaam, while simultaneously revealing Balak's self-centered perspective and his inability to comprehend divine intervention. There is also significant **Irony** in Balak's words. He boasts of his ability to "promote Balaam to honour," yet he is attempting to manipulate a prophet of the Most High God, whose true honor comes from divine appointment, not human reward. The irony deepens as Balak's entire scheme to curse Israel will ultimately fail, turning into blessings, demonstrating the futility of human power against divine will. Furthermore, the passage presents a clear **Contrast** between Balak's worldly power and the unseen, sovereign power of God. Balak operates on a transactional, materialistic plane, while Balaam, though flawed, is being supernaturally constrained by a divine force that Balak cannot perceive or control.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 22:37 serves as a powerful illustration of the clash between human will and divine sovereignty, a recurring theme throughout Scripture. Balak's desperate attempt to manipulate God's chosen instrument through worldly enticements highlights the futility of opposing God's purposes. His belief that he could "buy" a curse against Israel underscores a fundamental misunderstanding of God's character and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. This episode foreshadows the broader biblical truth that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes, political maneuvering, or even spiritual warfare waged by those outside His will. The narrative emphasizes that true honor and power come from God alone, and attempts to gain them through ungodly means lead to spiritual compromise and ultimate failure. This encounter sets the stage for Balaam's subsequent oracles, where he is compelled to bless Israel despite Balak's desires, demonstrating God's absolute control over the words of even a compromised prophet.

* [Deuteronomy 23:4-5](/deuteronomy/23-4 "Deuteronomy 23:4-5 - Balaam's Attempt to Curse Israel"): This passage explicitly states that the Moabites and Ammonites hired Balaam to curse Israel, but "the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam; instead, the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loved you."
* [Joshua 24:9-10](/joshua/24-9 "Joshua 24:9-10 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"): Joshua recounts how Balak summoned Balaam, but "I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand."
* [Nehemiah 13:2](/nehemiah/13-2 "Nehemiah 13:2 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing"): This verse reiterates the historical fact that the Ammonites and Moabites hired Balaam to curse Israel, but "our God turned the curse into a blessing."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Balak's confrontation with Balaam in Numbers 22:37 offers a profound mirror for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine our own motivations and the sources of our trust. Are we, like Balak, prone to relying on worldly power, wealth, or influence to achieve our desired outcomes, even in matters we deem spiritual? Do we believe that we can manipulate divine favor or circumvent God's clear will through strategic alliances or material offerings? This verse serves as a potent reminder that God's sovereignty is absolute; His purposes cannot be bought, coerced, or thwarted by human schemes, no matter how powerful the offer or how desperate the situation. For those in positions of leadership, it is a call to humility, recognizing that true authority and promotion come from God alone. For all believers, it is an invitation to discern between the seductive allure of worldly honor and the steadfast pursuit of God's perfect will, even when it means foregoing personal gain or facing human displeasure. The integrity of our walk with God is tested not by what we are offered, but by our unwavering obedience to His voice, regardless of the cost or the promise of reward.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on worldly influence or material gain rather than trusting in God's sovereign provision and direction?**
* **How do I discern between genuine opportunities and those that, like Balak's offer, might compromise my obedience to God's will?**
* **What "delays" or unexpected obstacles in my life might actually be God's loving intervention, redirecting me from a path He does not intend?**
* **Am I more concerned with human approval and "honor" than with faithfully carrying out God's commands, even when it is unpopular or costly?**

### FAQ

**Why was Balak so insistent on having Balaam curse Israel?**

Answer: Balak's insistence stemmed from profound fear. The Israelites, having already defeated the powerful Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35), were encamped on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Balak perceived their vast numbers and recent victories as an existential threat to his kingdom (Numbers 22:3). In the ancient Near East, it was a common belief that powerful diviners or prophets could invoke curses that would weaken or defeat an enemy. Balak believed Balaam possessed such power and was his only hope against the seemingly unstoppable Israelite advance. He was desperate for supernatural intervention to protect his people and land.

**Did Balaam want to accept Balak's offer of honor and wealth?**

Answer: Balaam's motives appear complex and mixed throughout the narrative. While he initially sought God's permission to go with Balak's envoys, and God initially refused (Numbers 22:12), he later received permission to go, but with the strict command to "do only what I tell you" (Numbers 22:20). His actions suggest a desire for the promised honor and wealth, yet he was also acutely aware of God's power and sovereignty. He repeatedly stated that he could only speak the words God put in his mouth (Numbers 22:18, 38; 23:12, 26). Ultimately, while he did not directly curse Israel, his later counsel to Balak to entice Israel into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14) reveals his underlying desire for the rewards, leading to a compromise that is condemned as "the way of Balaam" in the New Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The confrontation in Numbers 22:37, with Balak's futile attempts to manipulate divine will through worldly offers, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Balak's desire to curse God's people is a shadow of the spiritual forces of evil that constantly seek to undermine God's kingdom. Yet, just as God turned Balaam's intended curses into blessings, so too has Christ, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, utterly disarmed and triumphed over every power and authority that sought to curse humanity (Colossians 2:14-15). Jesus, the true Prophet, perfectly speaks the words of God, not for personal gain or human honor, but out of perfect obedience to the Father (John 12:49-50). He is the ultimate "blessing" to humanity, reversing the curse of sin and death (Galatians 3:13). Unlike Balaam, who was tempted by "honor," Christ "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7), ultimately receiving the highest honor from God (Philippians 2:9-11). Through Him, believers are not subject to the curses of this world but are "blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3), demonstrating that God's unwavering commitment to bless His people is perfectly and eternally realized in His Son.

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 24:11

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.

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

Luke 4:6

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Psalms 75:6

¶ For promotion [cometh] neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

Matthew 4:8

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Matthew 4:9

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Numbers 22:16

And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: