Numbers 23:7

KJV

And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, [saying], Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took up {H5375} his parable {H4912}, and said {H559}, Balak {H1111} the king {H4428} of Moab {H4124} hath brought {H5148} me from Aram {H758}, out of the mountains {H2042} of the east {H6924}, saying, Come {H3212}, curse {H779} me Jacob {H3290}, and come {H3212}, defy {H2194} Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he made his pronouncement: "Balak, the king of Mo'av, brings me from Aram, from the eastern hills, saying, 'Come, curse Ya'akov for me; come and denounce Isra'el.'

Berean Standard Bible

And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’

American Standard Version

And he took up his parable, and said, From Aram hath Balak brought me, The king of Moab from the mountains of the East: Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:7 initiates Balaam's first oracle, a pivotal moment where the renowned diviner, summoned by King Balak of Moab, begins to articulate not the curses Balak desperately sought against Israel, but rather the divine pronouncements God places in his mouth. This verse powerfully sets the stage for a dramatic reversal, revealing Balak's fear-driven intention to spiritually incapacitate Israel by hiring Balaam from the distant "mountains of the east" to "curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel," thereby immediately establishing the central conflict between human machinations and God's unassailable protective sovereignty over His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 23:7 marks the beginning of Balaam's first of four oracles (Numbers 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 15-24). This verse immediately follows Balak's desperate plea to Balaam to curse Israel after his initial attempts to persuade the prophet to come to Moab. Balaam has just arrived, and after offering sacrifices as instructed by God (Numbers 23:1-6), he returns to Balak, poised to deliver the oracle. The verse directly quotes Balak's summons, setting up the dramatic tension: Balak expects a curse, but the reader, having witnessed God's direct interaction with Balaam in the preceding chapters (Numbers 22), knows that Balaam can only speak what God permits. This initial recitation of Balak's request serves to highlight the king's futile desire in stark contrast to the divine will that is about to be revealed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds as Israel approaches the plains of Moab, a significant geographical and strategic location. In the ancient Near East, curses and blessings were believed to be potent, tangible forces, often invoked by powerful diviners or prophets. Kings frequently employed such figures to secure victory or undermine enemies through spiritual means, rather than solely through military might. Balak's hiring of Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner from Pethor in Aram (Mesopotamia), indicates Balaam's widespread reputation and the depth of Balak's fear. The "mountains of the east" refers to the region east of the Euphrates, emphasizing the great distance Balaam traveled and the extraordinary measures Balak took. This cultural understanding of curses and the role of diviners underscores the radical nature of God's control over Balaam, who, despite his profession, is compelled to bless rather than curse, demonstrating God's unique power over all spiritual forces.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 23:7 introduces and reinforces several crucial themes that permeate the entire Balaam narrative and the book of Numbers. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, illustrating that God's plan and promises cannot be thwarted by human or demonic opposition. Balaam, though a renowned diviner, is merely a mouthpiece for God, demonstrating that even those outside the covenant are subject to His will, as seen in [Numbers 22:38](/numbers/22-38 "Numbers 22:38 - Balaam Can Only Speak What God Puts in His Mouth"). Closely related is **God's Unwavering Protection of Israel**, highlighting His faithfulness to His covenant people. Despite their wilderness wanderings and occasional rebellion, God remains their shield, turning intended harm into blessing, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Promise to Abraham to Bless Those Who Bless Israel and Curse Those Who Curse Her"). This also underscores **The Futility of Opposition** against God's purposes; Balak's desperate efforts to curse Israel are rendered powerless, reinforcing that God's blessing is irrevocable. Finally, the verse introduces the **Nature of Prophecy** through the term "parable" (*mashal*), indicating that Balaam's utterance is not a mere human pronouncement but a weighty, divinely inspired oracle, distinct from the magical incantations Balak likely expected.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parable (Hebrew, _mashal'_):** This term is often translated as "proverb" or "allegory," but in the context of prophetic literature, it signifies a weighty, authoritative utterance, a poetic oracle, or a significant pronouncement. It implies a deep, often enigmatic, truth conveyed through elevated language, rather than a simple narrative. Here, it indicates that Balaam's words are not his own, nor are they mere divinations, but divinely inspired, authoritative declarations that carry prophetic weight.
* **Curse (Hebrew, _arar'_):** This verb denotes a strong, binding curse, often with the intent to bring about destruction, ruin, or alienation. It implies a formal, powerful pronouncement meant to invoke divine disfavor or misfortune upon the cursed party. Balak's use of this word reveals his desire for a definitive, devastating spiritual assault on Israel.
* **Defy (Hebrew, _za'am'_):** This word carries the sense of indignation, denunciation, or even divine wrath. It suggests a powerful, almost furious, condemnation. Balak wanted Balaam to pronounce a judgment or an anathema upon Israel that would effectively bring about their downfall, akin to unleashing a spiritual storm against them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took up his parable, and said":** This phrase signifies the solemn, formal commencement of Balaam's prophetic utterance. The act of "taking up" implies a deliberate, inspired act, contrasting with a casual statement. The use of "parable" (_mashal_) immediately elevates the forthcoming words from a simple response to a divinely authoritative oracle, setting the tone for the unexpected pronouncements that follow.
* **"Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, [saying]":** Balaam begins by acknowledging the source of his summons, Balak, and his own origin. This serves to establish the context and the human agent who initiated this encounter. "Aram" and "mountains of the east" emphasize the great distance and the foreign, renowned nature of Balaam, reinforcing Balak's desperation and the perceived power of the one he hired. The "saying" introduces Balak's direct command, which Balaam is about to quote.
* **"Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel":** This is the direct quote of Balak's urgent, two-fold command to Balaam. The parallelism between "curse me Jacob" and "defy Israel" emphasizes the king's intense desire to bring spiritual ruin upon the Israelite nation. "Jacob" and "Israel" are used synonymously, referring to the entire nation, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the desired curse. This direct quotation sets up the dramatic irony of the entire narrative, as Balaam will be unable to fulfill this command.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 23:7 is **Irony**. Balak, the king of Moab, has gone to great lengths to hire Balaam, a renowned diviner, specifically to curse Israel. Yet, the very first words Balaam utters, though quoting Balak's command, are framed as a "parable" (*mashal*), hinting at a divine message rather than a human one. The profound irony lies in the fact that Balaam, despite being hired to curse, will be compelled by God to bless Israel instead. This sets up the central conflict and foreshadows the ultimate futility of Balak's plans. There is also **Parallelism** in Balak's command, "curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel," which emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the desired spiritual attack on the nation. The repetition of the imperative "come" underscores Balak's urgency and desperation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:7 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty and His unshakeable commitment to His covenant people. Despite the desperate machinations of human kings and the perceived spiritual power of foreign diviners, God remains in ultimate control, able to turn the intentions of evil into instruments of His divine purpose. This verse immediately establishes the conflict between Balak's will and God's will, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation that God's blessing on Israel is irrevocable and cannot be overturned by any human or spiritual force. It highlights that God's protection of His people is not contingent on their perfection, but on His faithfulness to His promises, demonstrating His steadfast love and power to preserve His chosen nation against all odds.

* [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Whom God Has Not Cursed")
* [Deuteronomy 23:5](/deuteronomy/23-5 "Deuteronomy 23:5 - God Turned the Curse into a Blessing")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 23:7 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God's sovereignty extends over every circumstance, even when faced with direct opposition or spiritual attack. Just as Balak's desperate attempts to curse Israel were utterly futile because God had blessed them, so too are the schemes of the adversary powerless against those whom God has blessed and redeemed in Christ. This verse calls us to trust implicitly in God's unfailing promises and His powerful protection, knowing that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). It challenges us to recognize that God can turn intended evil into good, transforming situations meant for our harm into opportunities for His glory and our ultimate benefit. Our security rests not in our own strength or ability to ward off attacks, but in the unchangeable character and omnipotent power of our God, who faithfully guards His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Balak's desperate attempt to hire Balaam highlight the world's misunderstanding of God's power and sovereignty?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to fear human opposition or spiritual attacks, and how does Numbers 23:7 encourage you to trust in God's ultimate control?**
* **How can recognizing God's ability to turn curses into blessings strengthen your faith when facing adversity?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Balaam being from "Aram, out of the mountains of the east"?**

Answer: Balaam's origin from "Aram, out of the mountains of the east" (likely Pethor on the Euphrates) emphasizes his reputation as a powerful, non-Israelite diviner or prophet whose influence was recognized far and wide. For Balak to seek him from such a distant land underscores the king's profound fear of Israel and his desperate belief that only a figure of Balaam's caliber could deliver a potent enough curse. It also highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples, as even a foreign prophet is compelled to speak God's word, demonstrating that God's power extends beyond the boundaries of Israel.

**Why does Balaam call his utterance a "parable" (*mashal*)?**

Answer: The term "parable" (Hebrew, _mashal_) here is not simply a story, but refers to a weighty, authoritative, often poetic or enigmatic utterance. In the context of ancient Near Eastern prophecy, a _mashal_ could be a proverb, an oracle, or a significant pronouncement that carried divine authority. By using this term, Balaam signals that his words are not merely his own divinations or the incantations Balak expected, but rather divinely inspired messages. This sets the stage for the dramatic irony of the narrative, as Balaam is unable to speak anything other than what God puts in his mouth, turning Balak's desired curses into blessings for Israel, as seen in [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam Cannot Curse Whom God Has Not Cursed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 23:7, with Balak's futile attempt to curse Israel through Balaam, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and unassailable blessing bestowed upon God's people through Jesus Christ. Just as Balaam was unable to reverse God's blessing on Jacob, so too, in Christ, believers are eternally blessed and beyond the reach of any curse. The Mosaic Law, though holy, brought a curse upon those who failed to keep it perfectly (Galatians 3:10), but Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from that curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus absorbed the full weight of divine condemnation and sin's curse, ensuring that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We are not merely protected from curses, but are actively blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The enemy's attempts to "curse Jacob" find their ultimate defeat in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and bestows upon His followers an eternal, irrevocable blessing that no power, principality, or scheme can ever undo (Romans 8:38-39).

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 23:18

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

Numbers 22:5

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Numbers 22:6

Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they [are] too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, [that] we may smite them, and [that] I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest [is] blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

Numbers 24:3

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Deuteronomy 23:4

Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

Numbers 24:15

¶ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Job 29:1

¶ Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,