Numbers 22:7

KJV

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the elders {H2205} of Moab {H4124} and the elders {H2205} of Midian {H4080} departed {H3212} with the rewards of divination {H7081} in their hand {H3027}; and they came {H935} unto Balaam {H1109}, and spake {H1696} unto him the words {H1697} of Balak {H1111}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The leaders of Mo'av and Midyan left, taking with them the payment for divining, came to Bil'am and spoke to him the words of Balak.

Berean Standard Bible

The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.

American Standard Version

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 22:7 describes the arrival of the elders of Moab and Midian at the dwelling of Balaam, carrying with them the "rewards of divination" and the urgent message from King Balak. This pivotal moment initiates the narrative of Balak's desperate attempt to secure a curse against the advancing Israelites through a renowned, yet morally ambiguous, diviner, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty over human machinations and pagan practices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Balak's intense fear and distress over the vast numbers and recent military successes of the Israelites, who have encamped in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. Having witnessed Israel's victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, Balak perceives Israel as an overwhelming threat, likening them to an ox licking up the grass of the field. His inability to confront them militarily leads him to seek supernatural intervention. The alliance with Midian, also threatened by Israel's presence, underscores the regional panic. The dispatch of these elders to Balaam, a non-Israelite known for his potent blessings and curses, marks the beginning of Balak's strategic, albeit misguided, spiritual offensive against God's people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, a strategic region east of the Jordan. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for kings to employ diviners, seers, or prophets to ascertain divine will, influence events, or pronounce blessings and curses upon enemies. "Divination" (Hebrew: *qesem*) was a widespread, though often illicit, practice involving various methods to gain supernatural insight or power. Balaam, though seemingly able to hear from Yahweh, operated within this broader cultural milieu of professional seers, making his services available for a fee. The "rewards of divination" were the customary payment for such spiritual consultation, highlighting the transactional nature of his practice and Balak's belief in the efficacy of such spiritual warfare. This practice stands in stark contrast to the direct, unmediated revelation God provided to Israel, and His explicit prohibitions against such pagan practices as detailed in [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominations to the Lord").
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 22:7 introduces several critical themes that permeate the Balaam narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Balak's desperation and reliance on pagan methods**, emphasizing the profound fear that drove him to seek a curse against Israel rather than engage them directly ([Numbers 22:3-4](/numbers/22-3 "Numbers 22:3-4 - Balak's Fear of Israel")). Secondly, it immediately establishes **Balaam's ambiguous character** as a diviner who, despite his potential for genuine divine communication, is clearly motivated by financial gain. The "rewards of divination" foreshadow his later struggles with covetousness and his eventual downfall, making him a cautionary figure in later biblical texts such as [2 Peter 2:15-16](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15-16 - The Way of Balaam") and [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Error of Balaam"). Most importantly, the verse sets the stage for the overarching theme of **God's unwavering sovereignty**. Despite the human schemes and pagan rituals, the subsequent events powerfully demonstrate that no curse can prevail against those whom God has blessed, underscoring His protective hand over His chosen people and His ability to turn evil intentions into instruments of His divine purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Divination (Hebrew, _qesem'_):** This term (קֶסֶם) refers to fortune-telling, augury, or seeking supernatural knowledge or influence through illicit means, often involving omens, sorcery, or spells. It is consistently condemned in the Old Testament as an abomination to Yahweh, distinguishing it sharply from true prophecy, which relies on direct divine revelation. The presence of "rewards of divination" immediately signals that Balaam, despite his later interactions with the true God, operates within a pagan framework, accepting payment for practices forbidden to Israel.
* **Elders (Hebrew, _zāqēn'_):** The term (זָקֵן) signifies respected and influential leaders within a community, often chosen for their wisdom and experience. The fact that "elders" from both Moab and Midian were dispatched underscores the gravity and official nature of Balak's mission. It indicates a formal diplomatic and spiritual delegation, lending weight and authority to their request for Balaam's services. Their presence signifies a united front and a desperate, high-level appeal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed":** This clause highlights the formal and collaborative nature of the mission. The inclusion of both Moabite and Midianite elders signifies a strategic alliance born out of shared fear and a unified effort to counter the Israelite threat. Their "departure" implies a journey from their respective lands to Balaam's location, emphasizing the effort and distance involved in securing his services.
* **"with the rewards of divination in their hand":** This crucial phrase reveals the mercenary aspect of Balaam's practice and the transactional nature of the request. The "rewards" (often understood as payment or fees) indicate that Balaam's spiritual services were for hire, immediately raising questions about his motives and the legitimacy of his prophetic claims. It also underscores Balak's belief in the efficacy of such paid spiritual intervention.
* **"and they came unto Balaam":** This simple statement marks the successful culmination of their journey and the direct confrontation between Balak's emissaries and the diviner. It sets the stage for the negotiations and divine interventions that will follow.
* **"and spake unto him the words of Balak":** This final clause confirms the elders' role as messengers, conveying King Balak's urgent request for Balaam to come and curse Israel. It emphasizes that Balaam is not acting on his own initiative but is being specifically commissioned by a foreign king to perform an act of spiritual warfare against God's chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 22:7 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the mention of "rewards of divination" immediately hints at Balaam's covetousness and the central conflict of his character—his struggle between divine revelation and personal gain. This detail sets up the subsequent narrative where his desire for wealth clashes with God's commands. **Characterization** is subtly at play, as the verse paints a picture of Balaam as a professional diviner whose services are bought, rather than a prophet solely moved by divine imperative. This initial portrayal establishes his ambiguous moral standing. Furthermore, the scene itself acts as a **catalyst**, initiating the entire dramatic sequence of Balaam's encounters with God, the talking donkey, and his prophetic pronouncements, all of which pivot on this initial meeting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The encounter in Numbers 22:7, driven by Balak's fear and reliance on pagan divination, serves as a powerful theological statement about the futility of human and demonic opposition against God's sovereign plan for His people. Despite the widespread belief in the power of curses and the employment of a renowned diviner, the narrative ultimately demonstrates that God's blessing on Israel cannot be overturned by any human or supernatural force. This highlights God's absolute control over all creation and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when faced with the most formidable spiritual and political challenges. It underscores the distinction between true divine revelation and the deceptive practices of divination, affirming that God's will prevails regardless of the machinations of those who oppose Him.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominations to the Lord")
* [2 Peter 2:15-16](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15-16 - Balaam's Error and Greed")
* [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - The Way of Balaam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 22:7 invites us to reflect on the nature of spiritual authority, the dangers of covetousness, and the unwavering sovereignty of God. Balaam's willingness to accept "rewards of divination" immediately signals a compromised spiritual position, reminding us that even those with genuine spiritual gifts can be led astray by worldly enticements and a desire for personal gain. This serves as a potent warning against seeking spiritual power or influence for selfish ends, rather than for God's glory and the good of His kingdom. Moreover, Balak's desperate attempt to curse Israel, though seemingly powerful in its cultural context, ultimately highlights the absolute futility of any human or demonic scheme against God's purposes. For believers, this offers immense comfort and assurance: if God is for us, who can be against us? Our security is found not in human strength or spiritual manipulation, but in the steadfast love and omnipotent power of our God, who turns curses into blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the mention of "rewards of divination" immediately shape our perception of Balaam's character and motives?**
* **In what ways might we, in our own lives, be tempted to seek spiritual or material gain through compromised means, rather than trusting in God's provision?**
* **How does Balak's fear and reliance on pagan practices contrast with the faith and trust that God desires from His people?**
* **What comfort and assurance can we draw from the broader narrative of Balaam, knowing that God can turn any intended curse into a blessing?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the "rewards of divination" brought by the elders?**

Answer: The "rewards of divination" (Hebrew: *qesem*) were the customary payment or fee for a diviner's services in the ancient Near East. Their presence in [Numbers 22:7](/numbers/22-7 "Numbers 22:7 - Elders with Rewards of Divination") immediately signals several key points. Firstly, it indicates that Balaam was a professional diviner whose spiritual insights and powers were available for hire, distinguishing him from a prophet who speaks solely by divine commission without monetary motivation. Secondly, it highlights Balak's belief in the transactional nature of spiritual power—that a curse could be bought and wielded against an enemy. The fact that Balaam accepted these rewards foreshadows his later struggles with greed and his eventual downfall, serving as a cautionary tale against spiritual compromise for material gain, a theme echoed in [2 Peter 2:15](/2_peter/2-15 "2 Peter 2:15 - Balaam's Love of Gain").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative initiated in [Numbers 22:7](/numbers/22-7 "Numbers 22:7 - Balak's Emissaries Reach Balaam") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Balak's desperate attempt to curse Israel through Balaam, which God miraculously turns into blessings, powerfully prefigures God's ultimate victory over the forces of evil through His Son. Just as no human or demonic power could curse God's chosen people in the Old Testament, so too in the New Covenant, no condemnation can stand against those who are in Christ Jesus ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Christ Himself is the ultimate blessing, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities that sought to curse humanity, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He became a curse for us, so that we might receive the blessing of Abraham and the Spirit through faith ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Thus, the turning of Balaam's curses into blessings is a profound foreshadowing of Christ's triumph, where the ultimate curse of sin and death is transformed into eternal life and blessing for all who believe in Him.

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

1 Samuel 9:7

Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, [if] we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and [there is] not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

1 Samuel 9:8

And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: [that] will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

Micah 3:11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Titus 1:11

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Numbers 24:1

¶ And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Jude 1:11

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.