Numbers 23:30

KJV

And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Balak {H1111} did {H6213} as Balaam {H1109} had said {H559}, and offered {H5927} a bullock {H6499} and a ram {H352} on every altar {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Balak did as Bil'am said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Berean Standard Bible

So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

American Standard Version

And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:30 records Balak's third and final attempt to induce Balaam to curse Israel. Despite two previous failures where Balaam, divinely constrained, pronounced blessings instead of curses, the Moabite king stubbornly persists. This verse details Balak's meticulous adherence to Balaam's instructions, offering a bullock and a ram on each of the seven altars he had prepared, in a desperate and ultimately futile effort to manipulate divine power and bring harm upon the Israelites. It underscores the futility of human will and ritualistic performance when set against the unchangeable purposes of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 23:30 concludes the narrative of Balak's determined but unsuccessful attempts to have Balaam curse the Israelites. This verse immediately follows Balaam's second oracle (Numbers 23:18-24), which, like the first (Numbers 23:7-10), resulted in a blessing for Israel and a declaration of God's unchanging nature. Balak's response in this verse is one of unyielding persistence; he "did as Balaam had said," meticulously following the prophet's instructions to build seven more altars and offer sacrifices, hoping that a new location or a more precise ritual would finally yield the desired curse. This sets the stage for Balaam's third and most profound oracle in [Numbers 24](/numbers/24 "Numbers 24 - Balaam's Final Oracles"), where he not only blesses Israel but also prophesies about their future glory and the coming Messiah. The repetition of the altars and sacrifices highlights Balak's stubbornness and the dramatic irony of his efforts, which only serve to further demonstrate God's sovereignty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, divination and the use of seers or prophets to influence outcomes were common practices. Kings often employed such figures to gain an advantage over their enemies, believing that curses or blessings pronounced by powerful individuals could affect the course of events. Balak, as king of Moab, was operating within this cultural framework, seeking to use Balaam's perceived prophetic power to counter the perceived threat of the numerous Israelites encamped on his border. The offering of "a bullock and a ram" on "every altar" signifies a substantial and costly sacrifice, typical of major religious rites intended to appease or coerce deities. These animals were valuable commodities and common sacrificial animals, indicating the seriousness and magnitude of Balak's endeavor to secure divine favor (or disfavor against his enemies). His actions reflect a pagan worldview where gods could be manipulated through proper ritual and sacrifice, contrasting sharply with the Israelite understanding of God's unchangeable character and sovereign will, as articulated by Balaam himself in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes woven throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Persistent Opposition** against God's people. Balak's relentless efforts, despite repeated divine intervention, underscore the stubbornness of human will when set against God's purposes. Secondly, it exemplifies the **Futility of Ritual without Righteousness**. Balak's elaborate and costly sacrifices are mere external acts, devoid of genuine worship or alignment with God's will. The narrative implicitly critiques the idea that God can be manipulated or coerced through religious performance, a theme echoed later in the Old Testament, such as in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice"), which states that "to obey is better than sacrifice." Finally, and most profoundly, the passage demonstrates **Divine Sovereignty**. Despite Balak's best efforts and Balaam's initial intentions, God remains firmly in control, ensuring that His covenant promises to Israel are upheld. No human king, prophet, or pagan ritual can thwart the divine plan to bless Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offered (Hebrew, _ʿālāh'_):** This verb literally means "to go up" or "to ascend," and in the context of sacrifice, it specifically refers to a "burnt offering" or "holocaust" (עֹלָה, _ʿōlāh_). This type of offering was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, signifying complete dedication to the deity. Balak's choice of a burnt offering, repeated seven times, indicates his desperate desire for a complete and effective ritual to achieve his goal of cursing Israel. It underscores the totality of his effort to appease or manipulate the divine.
* **Bullock (Hebrew, _par'_):** A young bull, typically unblemished, was a significant and costly sacrificial animal. In Israelite worship, it was often used for sin offerings for the high priest or the whole congregation, or as a substantial burnt offering. For Balak, offering a bullock on each altar signifies a major, expensive, and solemn act of worship, demonstrating his earnestness and the weight he placed on the ritual to achieve his objective.
* **Ram (Hebrew, _ʾayil'_):** A male sheep, also a valuable sacrificial animal, often used in burnt offerings, peace offerings, or as part of a consecration ritual. The combination of a bullock and a ram on each altar indicates a comprehensive and potent offering according to ancient Near Eastern sacrificial customs, designed to maximize the chances of divine intervention on Balak's behalf. The pairing suggests a full and complete set of offerings, leaving no stone unturned in his attempt to influence the spiritual realm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Balak did as Balaam had said":** This clause highlights Balak's complete obedience to Balaam's instructions, despite the prophet's previous failures to deliver the desired curse. It underscores Balak's persistent belief in the efficacy of the ritual and his desperate hope that a change in location or a renewed set of sacrifices might finally sway the divine will. His actions demonstrate a stubborn refusal to accept God's revealed purpose to bless Israel, clinging instead to the possibility of manipulating spiritual forces.
* **"and offered a bullock and a ram":** This specifies the sacrificial animals used. As noted in the key word analysis, both a bullock (young bull) and a ram were valuable and significant animals for sacrifice in the ancient world. Their offering signifies a costly and substantial act of worship, reflecting Balak's earnestness and the magnitude of his desire to secure the curse against Israel. The repetition of these specific animals across multiple altars emphasizes the methodical and deliberate nature of his ritual.
* **"on [every] altar":** The phrase "on every altar" (referring to the seven altars Balak had prepared, as mentioned in [Numbers 23:29](/numbers/23-29 "Numbers 23:29 - Balak Prepares for the Third Oracle")) is crucial. It emphasizes the meticulous and thorough nature of Balak's ritual. He was not merely offering a single sacrifice but repeating the entire process seven times, believing that the quantity and precision of the offerings would somehow compel the divine to act according to his will. This highlights the pagan mindset of attempting to manipulate or coerce deities through elaborate and repeated rituals, a stark contrast to the true worship of Yahweh, which demands obedience and a right heart.

#### Literary Devices
The passage, particularly Numbers 23:30, employs several literary devices to convey its theological message. **Repetition** is a prominent device, seen in Balak's repeated attempts to curse Israel, the repeated construction of seven altars, and the repeated offering of a bullock and a ram. This repetition underscores Balak's stubbornness and desperation, while simultaneously highlighting the futility of his efforts against God's unchangeable will. There is also significant **Irony** at play: Balak's elaborate and costly efforts, intended to bring a curse, consistently result in blessings for Israel, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty overriding human intentions. The meticulous ritual described in the verse also serves as a form of **Contrast**, sharply juxtaposing the pagan understanding of manipulating deities through external acts with the biblical emphasis on God's unchangeable character and the importance of obedience over mere sacrifice. The narrative's structure, moving from Balak's persistent efforts to Balaam's divinely inspired blessings, creates a powerful **Foreshadowing** of the ultimate triumph of God's plan over all opposition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:30 stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty and the futility of human attempts to thwart His divine will. Balak's persistent, ritualistic efforts to manipulate the spiritual realm through pagan sacrifices underscore a fundamental theological truth: God cannot be coerced or influenced by human performance or external religious acts when the heart is contrary to His purposes. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that true worship is not about elaborate rituals or costly offerings designed to gain favor, but about sincere obedience, faith, and alignment with God's revealed character and plan. The unchangeable nature of God's word, proclaimed by Balaam himself, ensures that His blessings and promises to His people will stand, regardless of the opposition.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice") - "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."
* [Psalm 50:8-14](/psalms/50-8 "Psalm 50:8-14 - God's Disinterest in Mere Ritual") - "I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me... Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High."
* [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - True Worship vs. Empty Ritual") - "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD... Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well..."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Balak's desperate actions in Numbers 23:30 offer a profound lesson for believers today. His unwavering commitment to ritual, despite its repeated failure, serves as a cautionary tale against the temptation to engage in "ritual without righteousness." We might not be building altars to pagan deities, but we can fall into the trap of believing that our religious activities—church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, giving—can somehow manipulate God into doing our will or earning His favor. This verse calls us to examine our hearts: Are our spiritual disciplines genuine expressions of love and obedience, or are they attempts to control outcomes, appease a perceived divine wrath, or earn blessings? True faith is not about coercing God but about trusting His sovereign plan and aligning our desires with His. It reminds us that God's character is unchanging, and His promises are secure, regardless of human opposition or flawed attempts at manipulation. Our focus should be on seeking God's will and living in faithful obedience, rather than relying on external acts to achieve our own ends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to engage in "ritual without righteousness," hoping to manipulate God's favor or achieve my own desires?**
* **How does Balak's persistent opposition, despite clear divine intervention, challenge my own stubbornness or resistance to God's revealed will?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, rather than relying on my own efforts or strategies to achieve desired outcomes?**

### FAQ
**Why did Balak keep trying after two failures?**

Answer: Balak's persistent attempts stemmed from a combination of desperation, a pagan worldview, and sheer stubbornness. In ancient Near Eastern polytheistic beliefs, different gods (or aspects of a god) might respond to different rituals, locations, or types of offerings. Balak likely believed that by changing the location (from Bamoth-baal to Pisgah, then to Peor) and repeating the sacrifices with meticulous adherence, he could eventually find the right formula to compel Balaam's God (or a different deity) to curse Israel. He was unwilling to accept God's unchangeable will to bless Israel, as Balaam had already declared in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie"). His actions illustrate the human tendency to resist divine truth when it conflicts with personal desires or perceived threats.

**What was the significance of offering a bullock and a ram?**

Answer: A bullock (young bull) and a ram (male sheep) were highly valued and common sacrificial animals in the ancient Near East, including Israelite worship. Offering them signified a substantial and costly sacrifice, indicating the seriousness and magnitude of Balak's endeavor. These animals were typically used for burnt offerings (holocausts), where the entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication or a fervent plea. By offering both a bullock and a ram on each of the seven altars, Balak was making a maximal effort, hoping to appease the divine power he believed Balaam could harness, and thereby secure the desired curse against Israel.

**Does this story suggest that pagan rituals have any power?**

Answer: On the contrary, the story emphatically demonstrates the *powerlessness* of pagan rituals when confronted with the sovereign will of the one true God. Despite Balak's meticulous adherence to the rituals and the substantial sacrifices, Balaam, though a flawed prophet, could only speak what God put in his mouth. God directly intervened to prevent any curse from being uttered, transforming intended curses into blessings. The narrative highlights that no amount of human effort, pagan ritual, or perceived prophetic power can thwart God's unchangeable plan or manipulate His will. The true power lies solely with God, who is not subject to human or pagan influence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The futility of Balak's repeated sacrifices in Numbers 23:30, offered with the intent to manipulate God and bring a curse, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including these pagan attempts, highlighted humanity's desperate need for atonement and reconciliation with God, yet no amount of animal blood could truly take away sin or coerce divine favor ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Ineffectiveness of Animal Sacrifices")). Balak's offerings were external rituals driven by a desire to control God for selfish ends, utterly devoid of genuine righteousness. In contrast, Christ's sacrifice was not a ritual to manipulate God, but a perfect, once-for-all act of obedience and love ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")) that truly appeased divine wrath and secured eternal blessing for all who believe. He is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), not through manipulation, but through self-giving love ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The blessings Balaam was forced to pronounce upon Israel find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers in Christ, demonstrating that true favor and salvation come not through human effort or ritual, but solely through God's gracious provision in His Son ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering")).

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.