Numbers 23:1

KJV

¶ And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balaam {H1109} said {H559} unto Balak {H1111}, Build {H1129} me here seven {H7651} altars {H4196}, and prepare {H3559} me here seven {H7651} oxen {H6499} and seven {H7651} rams {H352}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bil'am said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams here."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”

American Standard Version

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:1 initiates the pivotal encounter between Balak, King of Moab, and Balaam, the renowned Mesopotamian diviner, as Balaam issues precise instructions for an elaborate ritual. This verse meticulously details the requirements for constructing seven altars and preparing seven oxen and seven rams, thereby setting the stage for Balaam's subsequent prophetic pronouncements and Balak's desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempt to secure a divine curse against the advancing Israelite nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Balaam's arrival in Moab and his initial audience with King Balak, as described in [Numbers 22:36-41](/numbers/22-36-41 "Numbers 22:36-41 - Balaam Meets Balak"). The broader narrative context establishes Israel's encampment in the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land, which instills profound fear in Balak due to their overwhelming numbers and recent victories (see [Numbers 22:3-4](/numbers/22-3-4 "Numbers 22:3-4 - Moab's Fear of Israel")). Balak's response is not military engagement but an attempt at spiritual warfare, leading him to hire Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet from Pethor, known for his ability to bless or curse (see [Numbers 22:5-6](/numbers/22-5-6 "Numbers 22:5-6 - Balak Hires Balaam")). Despite Yahweh's initial prohibition and the dramatic divine intervention involving Balaam's donkey and the angel of the Lord (see [Numbers 22:22-35](/numbers/22-22-35 "Numbers 22:22-35 - Balaam and the Angel of the Lord")), Balaam has arrived, but with the explicit divine constraint that he can only speak the words God puts in his mouth (see [Numbers 22:35](/numbers/22-35 "Numbers 22:35 - The Angel's Command to Balaam")). Numbers 23:1 thus marks the commencement of the actual ritualistic attempts to curse Israel, initiating a series of oracles that will consistently defy Balak's intentions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East (ANE), the employment of diviners, seers, or prophets by kings and nations was a widespread practice. These individuals were believed to possess the ability to mediate with deities, interpret omens, foresee the future, and even invoke blessings or curses. Balaam, though not an Israelite, was clearly recognized for his spiritual potency, indicating a common belief in the efficacy of such figures across cultural boundaries. The meticulous instructions for constructing altars and preparing specific numbers of valuable animals—oxen and rams—reflect typical ANE sacrificial practices. The costliness and precision of offerings were considered paramount for successful communication with, or appeasement of, the gods. The number seven, in particular, held significant symbolic meaning across many ancient cultures, often representing completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or even a sacred covenant. Balak's desperate actions underscore the political and military realities of the time, where spiritual warfare was considered as crucial as physical combat in securing national survival or dominance.

* **Key Themes:** This verse immediately introduces several pivotal themes that will unfold throughout the Balaam narrative. Foremost is the **Divine Sovereignty** of Yahweh, who ultimately controls the words of even a non-Israelite prophet and cannot be manipulated or coerced by human rituals or intentions (a truth powerfully articulated in [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel")). It highlights the **Futility of Pagan Rituals** when pitted against the will of the one true God; despite the elaborate and costly preparations, Balak's desire to curse Israel will be repeatedly thwarted. The narrative also explores the **Nature of Prophecy**, demonstrating that true prophecy originates from God and is not subject to the diviner's own will or the patron's desires (as Balaam himself states in [Numbers 22:38](/numbers/22-38 "Numbers 22:38 - Balaam Can Only Speak God's Words")). Finally, the verse sets up the central tension between **Blessing and Curse**, as Balak seeks a curse, but God intends only blessing for His covenant people (a theme powerfully summarized in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Altars (Hebrew, מִזְבְּחֹת, _mizbechot'_):** This is the plural form of _mizbeach_ (H4196), meaning a place of sacrifice, derived from the root "to sacrifice." The instruction to build "seven altars" signifies a desire for multiple, distinct points of ritual contact, possibly positioned to overlook the Israelite encampment from various angles, or to facilitate a series of comprehensive, repeated attempts to engage the divine. It underscores the elaborate, systematic, and religiously significant nature of the intended ritual, aiming to maximize the spiritual impact.
* **Seven (Hebrew, שֶׁבַע, _sheva'_):** The repeated emphasis on "seven" (H7651)—seven altars, seven oxen, seven rams—is profoundly significant. In biblical numerology and ancient Near Eastern thought, seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or covenant. Balaam's instruction suggests a desire for a ritual that is perfectly complete, potent, and perhaps divinely sanctioned, aiming for the most effective possible engagement with the spiritual realm to achieve Balak's desired outcome. This number implies a total, comprehensive effort to influence the divine will.
* **Rams (Hebrew, אֵילִים, _eilim'_):** This is the plural form of _ʼayil_ (H352), meaning a ram, often associated with strength and leadership. Along with oxen, rams were large, valuable, and commonly used for significant sacrifices in both Israelite and surrounding cultures. Their inclusion signifies a costly and serious offering, reflecting Balak's desperate willingness to invest substantial resources to secure the desired curse. These animals represent the highest echelon of sacrificial animals, indicating the gravity and importance of the ritual in the eyes of Balaam and Balak, intended to gain maximum divine attention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Balaam said unto Balak":** This opening phrase establishes Balaam's authoritative role as the diviner and ritual expert. Despite his recent encounter with God and the angel, he proceeds to direct the king, indicating his professional capacity and Balak's reliance on his expertise for the spiritual task at hand. It highlights the power dynamic and the king's submission to the prophet's instructions.
* **"Build me here seven altars":** This is Balaam's primary instruction, initiating the ritual. The adverb "here" suggests a specific, perhaps elevated, location chosen for its perceived spiritual efficacy or strategic view of Israel. The command to build "seven altars" immediately signals the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the pagan ritual, emphasizing the number of sacred spaces to be prepared for offerings, indicating a desire for a powerful and multi-faceted appeal to the divine.
* **"and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams":** This clause specifies the exact sacrificial animals required, mirroring the number of altars. The repetition of "seven" for both types of animals underscores the ritual's intended completeness and the significant cost involved. These animals were highly valuable, indicating the gravity and seriousness of the undertaking, as Balak spares no expense in his attempt to manipulate divine power and achieve his desired outcome against Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 23:1 employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning and foreshadow the narrative's theological punch. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the insistent use of the number "seven" (seven altars, seven oxen, seven rams). This repetition emphasizes the meticulousness, completeness, and perceived potency of the ritual Balaam orchestrates, highlighting Balak's desperate commitment to securing a curse. This numerical emphasis also functions as **Symbolism**, as the number **seven** universally connotes perfection, completeness, or divine fullness in ancient Near Eastern thought, suggesting Balaam's attempt to engage the divine in the most comprehensive and unassailable manner possible. Furthermore, the elaborate preparations described in this verse serve as powerful **Foreshadowing**, ironically setting the stage for the ultimate futility of human attempts to thwart God's sovereign plan. The grand scale of the ritualistic effort subtly hints at the even grander, unshakeable power of God, who will ultimately turn the intended curses into blessings, demonstrating His absolute control.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:1 immediately plunges the reader into the profound theological tension between human will and divine sovereignty. Balak, driven by fear and operating within a pagan worldview, believes he can manipulate the divine through elaborate rituals and a hired prophet. This verse, with its meticulous instructions for altars and sacrifices, vividly illustrates the ancient world's attempts to coerce deities or bend their will through human effort and costly offerings. However, the subsequent narrative will powerfully demonstrate that God is not a cosmic force to be manipulated, but a sovereign Person whose purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes or pagan rites. His covenant faithfulness to Israel stands unassailable, turning every intended curse into a blessing, thereby revealing His ultimate control over all creation and every word spoken. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God's character and promises are immutable, transcending all human attempts at control.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often seeks control through various means—whether through wealth, power, strategic planning, or even religious performance—Numbers 23:1 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of God's absolute sovereignty. We might not literally build seven altars or offer oxen and rams, but we can subtly fall into the trap of believing that our own meticulous efforts, our fervent prayers, our good deeds, or our adherence to specific rituals can somehow *force* God's hand or bend His will to our desires. This passage challenges us to examine our motives when we approach God: are we seeking to align ourselves with His perfect will and purposes, or are we attempting to leverage our actions to manipulate Him into fulfilling our own agendas? True faith is not about coercing God, but about humbly trusting in His unchanging character, His unfailing promises, and His ultimate control over all circumstances. This liberates us from the anxiety of trying to control outcomes and invites us into a relationship of deep reliance and joyful submission to the One who always works for the good of His people and whose plans can never be thwarted.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, attempt to "manipulate" God through our religious practices, personal efforts, or even our prayers?**
* **What does Balaam's elaborate ritual reveal about the universal human desire for control, and how does God's response to this desire challenge our own assumptions about divine interaction?**
* **How does trusting in God's unchanging character and sovereign plan liberate us from the need to control outcomes in our lives, fostering genuine peace and contentment?**

### FAQ
**Why did Balaam ask for "seven" of everything?**

Answer: The number "seven" holds profound symbolic weight in both biblical and ancient Near Eastern cultures, frequently representing completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or even a sacred covenant. By instructing Balak to prepare "seven altars, and... seven oxen and seven rams," Balaam was likely attempting to perform a ritual that was perceived as perfectly complete and potent. This meticulous adherence to the number seven was an effort to ensure the maximum possible efficacy of the ritual, aiming for a comprehensive and undeniable spiritual outcome that would compel the deity he consulted to act according to Balak's desire to curse Israel. It reflects the deep-seated belief in the power of specific numbers and precise rituals to influence the spiritual realm, a common practice in the ancient world as seen in various pagan traditions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 23:1, with its depiction of elaborate but ultimately futile attempts to curse God's people through ritual, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's blessing in Christ. Just as Balaam's meticulously prepared curses were sovereignly turned into blessings by God (as explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")), so too has the greatest curse—the curse of sin and death—been utterly defeated through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The "curse of the law" that hung over humanity, a consequence of our rebellion and inability to perfectly keep God's commands, was absorbed and nullified by Christ when He "became a curse for us" on the cross (see [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). This divine reversal transformed humanity's condemnation into an eternal blessing of redemption, justification, and new life for all who believe. No human ritual, no satanic scheme, no power on earth or under it, can undo the finished work of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's unchangeable purpose to bless His people, demonstrating a sovereignty far greater than any ancient diviner or king could comprehend, securing a blessing that is eternal and unassailable (as promised in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). Through Him, we receive not a temporary reprieve from a curse, but an everlasting inheritance of grace and peace.

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 23:29

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

Proverbs 15:8

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

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.

1 Samuel 15:22

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

1 Chronicles 15:26

And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.

Job 42:8

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.

Psalms 50:8

I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, [to have been] continually before me.