Numbers 23:27

And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.

And Balak {H1111} said {H559} unto Balaam {H1109}, Come {H3212}, I pray thee, I will bring {H3947} thee unto another {H312} place {H4725}; peradventure it will please {H3474}{H5869} God {H430} that thou mayest curse {H6895} me them from thence.

Balak said to Bil'am, "Come, I will take you now to another place; maybe it will please God for you to curse them for me from there."

“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”

And Balak said unto Balaam, Come now, I will take thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.

Commentary

Numbers 23:27 captures King Balak’s desperate and persistent attempt to thwart God’s plan for Israel, even after two failed efforts to have them cursed. This verse sets the stage for Balaam's third and final prophetic utterance concerning the Israelites.

Context

Following two divine interventions where Balaam, hired by Balak, was compelled to bless Israel instead of cursing them (Numbers 23:11-12, Numbers 23:25-26), Balak remains undeterred. His fear of the numerous Israelites, who are encamped on the borders of Moab, drives him to a third location, hoping that a change of scenery might alter God's disposition or Balaam's prophetic outcome. This reveals Balak's profound misunderstanding of God’s unchanging nature and sovereign will.

Key Themes

  • Balak's Stubborn Persistence: Despite repeated divine reversals, Balak refuses to accept that God's blessing on Israel is irreversible. His actions highlight the futility of human efforts against divine decree.
  • God's Unwavering Sovereignty: The narrative consistently demonstrates that God's plans for His people cannot be thwarted by human manipulation or pagan sorcery. He controls the words of even a prophet hired to oppose His will.
  • Divine Protection of Israel: This verse, like the preceding ones, underscores God’s active protection over His chosen nation. What was intended for harm is continually turned into blessing, as noted later in Deuteronomy 23:5.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "peradventure it will please God" (KJV) reflects Balak's desperate hope. The Hebrew word for "please" here, yashar (יָשַׁר), can mean "to be straight," "to be right," or "to be pleasing." Balak is essentially hoping that from this new vantage point, God might view the situation differently or find it "right" to permit a curse. This illustrates his superficial understanding of God's character, believing God could be swayed by location or repeated requests, rather than being steadfast in His promises.

The word "curse" (Hebrew: qavav - קָבַב) implies a formal, binding declaration of ill will or harm, which Balak desperately sought from Balaam to weaken Israel.

Practical Application

Numbers 23:27 offers profound reassurance for believers today. It reminds us that if God is for us, no one can successfully stand against us (Romans 8:31). Just as God protected Israel from Balak's curses, He continues to be a shield for His people. We can find comfort in the knowledge that God's purposes are immutable, and His blessings on His chosen are secure, regardless of the schemes or opposition of others.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 11:29

    For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.

  • Proverbs 21:30

    ¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

  • Isaiah 46:10

    Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

  • Isaiah 46:11

    Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.

  • Numbers 23:13

    ¶ And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.

  • Proverbs 19:21

    ¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

  • Job 23:13

    ¶ But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
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