Numbers 23:28

KJV

And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balak {H1111} brought {H3947} Balaam {H1109} unto the top {H7218} of Peor {H6465}, that looketh {H8259} toward {H6440} Jeshimon {H3452}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Balak took Bil'am to the top of P'or, overlooking the desert.

Berean Standard Bible

And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

American Standard Version

And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:28 captures the third and final strategic maneuver by King Balak of Moab, who, in desperation, leads the prophet Balaam to the summit of Peor, a vantage point overlooking the desolate region of Jeshimon. This verse serves as a pivotal scene-setter for Balaam's culminating prophecies, underscoring Balak's persistent yet ultimately futile attempts to induce a curse upon the divinely protected Israelites, thereby highlighting the unyielding sovereignty of God over human schemes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the larger narrative arc of Numbers chapters 22-24, which chronicles the extraordinary encounter between Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner. Balak, terrified by the sheer multitude and recent victories of the Israelites, seeks to neutralize their threat by hiring Balaam to curse them. Numbers 23:28 follows two previous failed attempts by Balak to secure a curse from Balaam. First, from Kirjath-huzoth, Balaam delivered a blessing (Numbers 23:1-12). Then, from the [top of Pisgah](/numbers/23-14 "Numbers 23:14 - Balaam's Second Blessing"), Balaam again could only utter words of blessing and divine favor upon Israel (Numbers 23:13-26). Each location change reflects Balak's escalating desperation and his belief that a different perspective or sacred site might alter Balaam's prophetic utterances. This third and final relocation to Peor, with its view of Jeshimon, sets the stage for Balaam's most profound and far-reaching prophecies concerning Israel's destiny.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Moabites, descendants of Lot, were a Transjordanian people who often found themselves in conflict or uneasy alliance with Israel. Their fear of the burgeoning Israelite nation, fresh from their victory over the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35), was palpable. In the ancient Near East, curses and blessings pronounced by diviners or prophets were believed to possess potent spiritual power, capable of influencing the outcome of battles or the prosperity of nations. Kings would routinely employ such figures to gain an advantage over their enemies. Balak's actions are typical of this cultural belief system, seeking to manipulate spiritual forces for political gain. The specific locations mentioned—Peor and Jeshimon—were geographically significant. Peor was likely a high place associated with pagan worship, perhaps dedicated to Baal, a prominent Canaanite deity. Jeshimon, meaning "the desert" or "the wilderness," refers to the desolate region east of the Dead Sea, emphasizing the seemingly vulnerable yet divinely protected position of the Israelite encampment.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 23:28 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**. Despite Balak's persistent and varied attempts, God's will for Israel cannot be thwarted. Balaam repeatedly states that he can only speak what the Lord puts in his mouth, emphasizing that [God is not a man, that he should lie](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God's Unchanging Word"). This highlights God's absolute control over events and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Another key theme is the **Futility of Opposition to God's Plan**. Balak's repeated failures underscore the vanity of human or demonic schemes against the divine purpose. God's plan for Israel to inherit the promised land is unassailable. Finally, the **Significance of Location** is subtly introduced. While intended by Balak as a place for cursing, Peor later becomes infamous for the Israelites' egregious sin of idolatry and sexual immorality with the Moabite women, specifically the worship of Baal-Peor, as detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal-Peor"). This foreshadows that Israel's greatest threats may not come from external enemies but from internal spiritual compromise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peor (Hebrew, _Pəʿōr'_):** This refers to a specific mountain or high place in Moab. Its name is notably associated with the later incident of Baal-Peor, where Israel engaged in harlotry and idolatry, incurring God's wrath (Numbers 25:1-9). In this context, Balak's choice of Peor likely reflects a desire to invoke a curse from a place of pagan religious significance, hoping to tap into local deities or energies to counter the God of Israel. The very name would become synonymous with a major spiritual failure for Israel.
* **Jeshimon (Hebrew, _Yəšîmôn'_):** Literally meaning "the desert," "the wilderness," or "the desolation." This term refers to the desolate region east of the Dead Sea, specifically the wilderness area where the Israelites were encamped. The detail that Peor "looketh toward Jeshimon" is crucial, as it implies a direct line of sight to the vast Israelite camp. This visual connection emphasizes Balak's intent: to have Balaam directly observe and target the Israelite multitude with his curse. It highlights the apparent vulnerability of Israel in a barren land, yet simultaneously underscores their divine protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor":** This clause reveals Balak's relentless determination and his belief in the power of location. Having failed twice from other vantage points, he moves Balaam to a third, presumably more potent or strategically advantageous, high place. This action underscores Balak's desperation and his continued efforts to manipulate Balaam into cursing Israel, despite Balaam's repeated declarations that he can only speak what God dictates. The "top of Peor" suggests a prominent, elevated position, often associated with altars and cultic practices in the ancient world.
* **"that looketh toward Jeshimon":** This phrase specifies the orientation of Peor and the direct line of sight it offered. "Jeshimon" refers to the wilderness where the vast Israelite encampment was situated. Balak's intention was to provide Balaam with a clear, unobstructed view of the Israelites, perhaps believing that seeing the full scope of their numbers and presence would enable a more effective curse. This detail emphasizes the direct confrontation Balak sought between Balaam's prophetic power and the presence of God's people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle but powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident in the mention of "Peor." While presented here as a strategic location for cursing, the name immediately brings to mind the future tragic incident of Israel's idolatry with Baal-Peor (Numbers 25), where they incurred God's wrath not from external enemies but from internal compromise. This creates a dramatic irony, as Balak's chosen site for a curse against Israel ultimately becomes a site of Israel's own sin and divine judgment, albeit for different reasons. There is also an element of **Irony** in Balak's persistent efforts. He repeatedly moves Balaam to new locations, believing a change of scenery will change God's mind or Balaam's words, yet each attempt only results in further blessings upon Israel. This highlights the futility of human schemes against divine will. The **Symbolism** of the "top of Peor" as a high place, often associated with pagan worship, contrasts sharply with the divine power that ultimately controls Balaam's words, underscoring the supremacy of Yahweh over all other gods and human machinations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:28 powerfully reinforces the theological truth of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His absolute sovereignty over all creation. Balak's repeated attempts to curse Israel demonstrate the futility of human opposition to divine decree. God's protective hand over His chosen people is so strong that even a renowned diviner like Balaam cannot utter a curse against them; instead, he is compelled to pronounce blessings. This narrative serves as a profound testament to the fact that God's plan for His people cannot be thwarted by any earthly king, prophet, or spiritual force. It highlights that God's word is ultimate, and His blessings are irrevocable when He has purposed them.

* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Nehemiah 13:2](/nehemiah/13-2 "Nehemiah 13:2 - Nehemiah's Reminder of God's Protection")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - God's Purpose Prevails")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 23:28 offers profound encouragement and a subtle warning for believers today. It assures us that God's purposes for His people are immutable and His protection is absolute. Just as Balak's desperate and strategic attempts to curse Israel were utterly in vain because God had blessed them, so too are the schemes and oppositions we face as God's children. We can rest in the unwavering truth that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). This verse calls us to trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that He can turn any intended curse into a blessing for those who love Him. It reminds us that our security is not in our strength or strategic positioning, but in the unchangeable character and powerful protection of our God. However, the mention of Peor also carries a subtle warning: while God protects us from external enemies, the greatest danger often lies in internal spiritual compromise and idolatry. Vigilance against spiritual complacency and compromise is essential, even when external threats seem to diminish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life are you tempted to fear human opposition or strategic maneuvers against God's plan?**
* **How does the unyielding sovereignty of God, as displayed in Numbers 23:28, encourage you in the face of adversity?**
* **Considering the later events at Peor, what spiritual dangers might arise even in places where God has granted protection or blessing?**
* **In what ways can you actively trust God's protective hand over your life and the church today?**

### FAQ
**Why was Balak so persistent in trying to get Balaam to curse Israel, even after two failures?**

Answer: Balak's persistence stemmed from a combination of overwhelming fear and a deep-seated belief in the efficacy of curses pronounced by powerful diviners. The Israelite nation was vast and had recently defeated the Amorites, posing a significant military and existential threat to Moab. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for kings to employ prophets or seers to invoke divine favor or curses in warfare. Balak likely believed that the "magic" or spiritual power of a curse, especially from a renowned figure like Balaam, could turn the tide. His repeated attempts from different locations (Kirjath-huzoth, Pisgah, and finally Peor) demonstrate his desperate hope that a change of scenery or a different ritualistic approach might finally compel Balaam to utter the desired curse, overriding the will of the Israelites' God. He simply could not comprehend that the God of Israel was sovereign over Balaam and his own intentions, turning every curse into a blessing, as seen throughout [Numbers 23](/numbers/23 "Numbers 23 - Balaam's Prophecies").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 23:28, with its narrative of Balak's futile attempts to curse Israel, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and unassailable blessing bestowed upon God's people through Jesus Christ. Balaam, though a pagan prophet, was supernaturally constrained to pronounce blessings upon Israel, demonstrating that no human or demonic force can curse those whom God has chosen and blessed. This finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the embodiment of God's blessing to humanity. The inability of Balak to harm Israel prefigures the absolute security believers have in Christ; as [Romans 8:33-34](/romans/8-33 "Romans 8:33-34 - Who can bring a charge against God's elect?") declares, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Through His atoning sacrifice and triumphant resurrection, Jesus has disarmed all principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Victory over Powers")), rendering every curse powerless against those who are in Him. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), transforming the curse of sin and death into eternal life and blessing. Just as God turned Balaam's intended curses into blessings for Israel, so too in Christ, every accusation and spiritual attack against believers is ultimately turned into a testimony of God's grace and an affirmation of our secure standing in the Beloved ([Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - Accepted in the Beloved")).

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 21:20

And from Bamoth [in] the valley, that [is] in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.

Psalms 106:28

They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.