Numbers 23:3

KJV

And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balaam {H1109} said {H559} unto Balak {H1111}, Stand {H3320} by thy burnt offering {H5930}, and I will go {H3212}: peradventure the LORD {H3068} will come {H7136} to meet {H7125} me: and whatsoever {H1697} he sheweth {H7200} me I will tell {H5046} thee. And he went {H3212} to an high place {H8205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bil'am said to Balak, "Stand by your burnt offering while I go off; maybe ADONAI will come and meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you." He went off to a bare hill.

Berean Standard Bible

“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,

American Standard Version

And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go: peradventure Jehovah will come to meet me; and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to a bare height.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Balaam instructs King Balak to remain by the prepared burnt offerings while he withdraws to a solitary high place, hoping for a divine encounter with the LORD. His stated intention is to relay whatever revelation he receives back to Balak, setting the stage for the series of oracles that God will compel him to utter, despite Balak's desire for curses against Israel.

### CONTEXT

* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal in the unfolding narrative of Balaam and Balak, immediately following the preparation of seven altars and the offering of burnt sacrifices by both men in [Numbers 23:1-2](/numbers/23-1 "Numbers 23:1-2 - Preparation for Divination"). Balaam, having been reluctantly brought by Balak to curse Israel, is now attempting to solicit a divine word from Yahweh. His instruction to Balak to "stand by thy burnt offering" implies a ritualistic expectation, perhaps that the sacrifice would facilitate the divine encounter. The subsequent action of Balaam going "to a high place" (a common site for seeking oracles) sets the scene for the first of four major prophetic utterances that will follow in [Numbers 23:7-10](/numbers/23-7 "Numbers 23:7-10 - Balaam's First Oracle"). This verse marks the transition from preparation to the active seeking of divine communication.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of seeking oracles from deities was widespread in the ancient Near East. Kings and leaders frequently consulted diviners or prophets before major undertakings, such as warfare. "High places" (Hebrew: *bamah*) were elevated sites, often natural hills or constructed mounds, used for worship and cultic activities. While sometimes associated with legitimate worship of Yahweh (e.g., [1 Samuel 9:12-14](/1_samuel/9-12 "1 Samuel 9:12-14 - Samuel at the High Place")), they were more commonly linked with pagan worship and idolatry in Israelite history (e.g., [1 Kings 14:23](/1_kings/14-23 "1 Kings 14:23 - Judah's Idolatry")). Balak, as a Moabite king, would have been accustomed to such practices. Balaam, though acknowledging Yahweh, operates within this cultural framework, blending pagan ritualistic elements (seven altars, specific locations) with an attempt to engage the God of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the **sovereignty of God**, demonstrating that even a foreign diviner, hired by an enemy king, cannot speak anything but what the LORD puts in his mouth ([Numbers 22:35](/numbers/22-35 "Numbers 22:35 - God's Command to Balaam")). The tension between human will and divine purpose is palpable, as Balaam's desire for reward clashes with God's unwavering commitment to bless Israel. The theme of **divine revelation** is central, as Balaam seeks and receives direct communication from Yahweh, underscoring God's ability to communicate His will to whomever He chooses, even those with mixed motives. Furthermore, the use of the "high place" and burnt offerings subtly introduces the theme of **syncretism and spiritual compromise**, where pagan practices are interwoven with an attempt to engage the true God, a dangerous path frequently condemned in Israel's later history (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Pagan Sites")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis

* **Peradventure (Hebrew, _ʾûlay_):** This adverb conveys a sense of uncertainty or possibility. Balaam is not entirely sure that the LORD will appear to him, despite the preparations. This indicates that even though he has been commanded by God to go with Balak, the divine encounters are not entirely predictable or controllable by Balaam's will or ritual. It underscores the LORD's initiative in revelation.
* **Meet (Hebrew, _liqraʾt_):** The prepositional phrase literally means "to meet me" or "to encounter me." It implies a purposeful, direct, and personal divine encounter. Balaam expects a face-to-face or direct communication, not merely an indirect sign. This is consistent with how God had previously communicated with him, as seen in the talking donkey incident in [Numbers 22:22-35](/numbers/22-22 "Numbers 22:22-35 - The Angel and Balaam's Donkey").
* **High place (Hebrew, _bāmāh_):** As noted in the context, a *bamah* was a common cultic site in the ancient Near East. In this instance, it denotes a specific location chosen by Balaam for seeking an oracle. While the term itself is neutral, its frequent association with pagan worship in later Israelite history highlights the potential for spiritual danger and compromise when attempting to engage God outside of His prescribed means and places of worship. Balaam's choice reflects his cultural background and his customary method of divination.

#### Verse Breakdown

* **"And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go:"** Balaam takes charge of the immediate situation, directing Balak to remain with the sacrifices they have just offered. This implies a ritualistic posture of waiting and perhaps continuing the appeasement of the deity. Balaam's departure signifies his role as the active agent in seeking the divine word.
* **"peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee."** This clause reveals Balaam's expectation and his commitment to Balak. He hopes for a direct encounter with Yahweh ("the LORD"), indicating his recognition of Israel's God as the supreme deity or at least one powerful enough to influence the fate of nations. His promise to "tell thee" whatever is revealed underscores his role as an intermediary, but also his understanding that he is bound by the divine message, not his own desires or Balak's demands. This sets up the dramatic irony of the subsequent oracles.
* **"And he went to a high place."** This final phrase describes Balaam's action, confirming his intention to seek an oracle in a traditional cultic location. The "high place" is where he expects the divine encounter to occur, aligning with ancient Near Eastern practices of seeking revelation in elevated, solitary, and often consecrated areas.

#### Literary Devices

The verse employs several **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as Balaam's statement "whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee" directly foreshadows the subsequent oracles where he is compelled to speak only God's words, turning intended curses into blessings. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: Balak has hired Balaam to curse Israel, yet Balaam explicitly states his dependence on what the LORD *shows* him, implying that his own will or Balak's desires are subservient to God's revelation. The setting of the "high place" functions as **Symbolism**, representing a traditional site for divination and cultic activity, which in the broader biblical narrative often symbolizes spiritual compromise or idolatry, even when used in an attempt to engage Yahweh. This choice of location subtly highlights the tension between Balaam's pagan background and his encounter with the one true God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 23:3 serves as a profound testament to the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation and human endeavors, even those orchestrated by His adversaries. Balaam, a diviner from a foreign land, is compelled to acknowledge that his power is entirely contingent upon the will of the LORD. This encounter highlights God's ability to use unexpected instruments and circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes, specifically His covenant promises to Israel. It underscores that God's word is not subject to manipulation or coercion by human rituals or desires, no matter how earnestly sought or elaborately prepared. The scene also subtly introduces the theme of spiritual discernment, cautioning against the syncretistic blending of true worship with pagan practices, a recurring danger for God's people throughout biblical history.

* [Numbers 22:38](/numbers/22-38 "Numbers 22:38 - Balaam's Limitation")
* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Numbers 23:3 offers a powerful lesson for believers today concerning the nature of divine revelation and the integrity of our spiritual pursuits. Balaam's attempt to engage God, while driven by impure motives and steeped in pagan ritual, ultimately demonstrates that God cannot be coerced or manipulated. We are reminded that true spiritual seeking must be characterized by humility, sincerity, and a submission to God's revealed will, rather than an attempt to bend Him to our own desires or worldly ambitions. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we seeking God for His glory and His purposes, or are we hoping He will simply endorse our plans? It encourages us to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, knowing that His plans for His people cannot be thwarted, even by the most formidable opposition. Our role is not to dictate to God, but to listen obediently to "whatsoever He showeth" us, and then to act in accordance with His perfect and sovereign will.

#### Questions for Reflection

* **In what ways might we, like Balaam, attempt to manipulate or control God's will through our spiritual practices or prayers?**
* **How does Balaam's statement, "whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee," challenge our own willingness to speak God's truth, even when it contradicts our preferences or the expectations of others?**
* **What "high places" or worldly influences might we need to abandon in our lives to ensure our worship and seeking of God are pure and uncompromised?**

### FAQ

**Why did Balaam go to a "high place" to meet the LORD, and what is the significance of this location?**

Answer: Balaam's choice of a "high place" (Hebrew: *bamah*) reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking divine communication at elevated, often solitary, cultic sites. These locations were believed to be closer to the heavens, facilitating encounters with deities. While some high places were used for legitimate worship of Yahweh in early Israelite history, they became strongly associated with pagan idolatry and syncretistic practices (e.g., the worship of Baal or Asherah) as seen in later biblical narratives (e.g., [2 Kings 23:8](/2_kings/23-8 "2 Kings 23:8 - Josiah Destroys High Places")). In Balaam's context, it signifies his customary method of divination, blending his pagan background with an attempt to engage the God of Israel. The significance lies in the tension between traditional pagan ritual and the sovereign revelation of Yahweh, who is not bound by human-made shrines or rituals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The narrative of Balaam, particularly his inability to curse Israel and his compulsion to utter blessings, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God turned Balaam's intended curses into blessings for His people ([Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")), so too did God turn the ultimate curse of sin and death into the ultimate blessing of salvation through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus is the true Prophet, far superior to Balaam, who speaks only what the Father commands ([John 12:49](/john/12-49 "Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). Unlike Balaam, who had mixed motives and sought personal gain, Christ perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Furthermore, the "high place" where Balaam sought an oracle foreshadows the ultimate "high place" of Calvary, where the Lamb of God was lifted up, not to curse, but to draw all people to Himself and provide eternal blessing ([John 3:14-15](/john/3-14 "The Son of Man Lifted Up") and [John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Lifted Up")). Through Christ, God's people are not merely preserved from curses, but are eternally blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")), a fulfillment far grander than any temporal protection Balaam could pronounce.

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 23:15

And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet [the LORD] yonder.

Genesis 22:2

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

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.

Genesis 22:7

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here [am] I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where [is] the lamb for a burnt offering?

Genesis 22:8

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Numbers 22:31

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

Numbers 22:35

And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.