Numbers 23:18

And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

And he took up {H5375} his parable {H4912}, and said {H559}, Rise up {H6965}, Balak {H1111}, and hear {H8085}; hearken {H238} unto me, thou son {H1121} of Zippor {H6834}:

Then Bil'am made his pronouncement: "Get up, Balak, and listen! Turn your ears to me, son of Tzippor!

Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: โ€œArise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.

And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; Hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

Commentary

Context of Numbers 23:18

Numbers 23:18 is part of the narrative involving Balaam, a prophet hired by Balak, King of Moab, to curse the Israelites. The Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, and Balak feared their vast numbers and power. Despite Balak's intentions, God intervened, causing Balaam to bless Israel instead of cursing them. This particular verse introduces Balaam's second prophetic utterance, or "parable," to Balak. After the first attempt failed to produce a curse, Balak moved Balaam to a new location, hoping for a different outcome. Balaam's direct and commanding address, "Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor," signals the gravity and divine origin of the message he is about to deliver, reinforcing that these are not his own words but God's. For context on Balaam's first oracle, see Numbers 23:7-10.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Sovereignty: This verse underscores that Balaam is not speaking his own mind or Balak's will, but is a mouthpiece for God. The command for Balak to "Rise up, and hear" emphasizes the authority of the message that follows, which will once again be a blessing for Israel, not a curse. God's plan for His people cannot be thwarted by human schemes or political maneuvering.
  • The Nature of Prophecy: Balaam "took up his parable." This isn't a casual speech but a divinely inspired, weighty pronouncement. It signifies a solemn, prophetic declaration that carries immense spiritual significance and truth.
  • God's Unchanging Purpose: The subsequent verses (especially Numbers 23:19) further elaborate on God's steadfastness and faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. This verse sets the stage for that profound declaration, reminding Balak that God's word is immutable.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "parable" is mashal (ืžึธืฉึธืืœ). While it can mean a proverb or a riddle, in this context, it refers to a solemn, weighty utterance, often prophetic or poetic in nature. It implies a profound statement of truth, frequently delivered with authority and insight. Balaam's *mashal* here is a divinely inspired pronouncement, not merely a human observation or story.

Practical Application

Numbers 23:18 reminds us that God's will and purposes are supreme. No human power or scheme can ultimately derail what God intends to do. For believers, this offers great comfort and assurance that God is faithful to His promises and that His plans for His people will prevail. It also encourages us to listen attentively when God's Word is proclaimed, recognizing its divine authority, regardless of the messenger. Just as Balak was commanded to "hearken," we too are called to truly hear and internalize God's truth.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 3:20

    And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of [his] seat.
โ† Back