Numbers 23:7

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.

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}.

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.'

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!’

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

Numbers 23:7 marks the beginning of Balaam’s first oracle, delivered in response to King Balak’s urgent request. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between human will and divine purpose, highlighting God’s unwavering protection over His chosen people, Israel.

Context of Numbers 23:7

This verse is situated within the narrative of Israel’s wilderness journey, as they approach the land of Moab. King Balak, fearing the vast numbers and power of the Israelites, sought to prevent their advance not through military might, but through spiritual warfare. He hired Balaam, a renowned diviner or prophet from Pethor in Aram (also known as Mesopotamia), to curse Israel. Balak believed that a powerful curse could weaken or defeat the Israelite nation. Balaam's initial words here are a direct recitation of Balak's summons, acknowledging the king's desperate plea to "curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel." This immediately establishes the conflict: Balak wants a curse, but God has already blessed Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The most profound theme is God's absolute control. Despite Balak's intentions and Balaam's reputation, no human or spiritual power can overturn God's will. Balaam, though a diviner, can only speak what God puts in his mouth, as seen throughout his oracles.
  • God's Protection of Israel: This passage underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. He shields His people from the schemes of their enemies, turning intended harm into blessing. This reflects the ancient promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, that those who bless Israel would be blessed, and those who curse would be cursed.
  • The Futility of Opposition: Balak's efforts to curse Israel are ultimately futile. The narrative demonstrates that attempts to defy God's plan for His people are destined to fail, reinforcing the concept that God's blessing cannot be reversed by human or demonic power.
  • The Nature of Prophecy: Balaam's utterance is called a "parable" (*mashal*). This isn't just a simple story; in Hebrew, a *mashal* is often a weighty, authoritative utterance, a proverb, or a poetic oracle, carrying prophetic significance. Balaam is not merely speaking his own mind but delivering a divine message.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Parable" (Hebrew: mashal): As mentioned, this word signifies more than a simple story. It can refer to a proverb, a weighty utterance, a poetic saying, or an oracle. Here, it indicates a divinely inspired, authoritative pronouncement, contrasting with what Balak expected from a hired diviner.
  • "Curse me Jacob" (Hebrew: arar): This term implies a strong, binding curse, often with the intent to bring about destruction or alienation. Balak desired a curse that would effectively incapacitate or destroy the Israelite nation.
  • "Defy Israel" (Hebrew: za'am): This word carries a sense of indignation, denunciation, or divine wrath. Balak wanted Balaam to unleash a powerful, almost divine, condemnation upon Israel, hoping to bring about their downfall.

Practical Application

Numbers 23:7 reminds believers today that God remains sovereign over all circumstances. Even when faced with opposition, ill-will, or spiritual attacks, God is able to protect His people and turn the plans of the adversary on their head. Just as Balaam was unable to curse Israel because God had blessed them, so too can God turn intended evil into good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This verse encourages trust in God's unfailing promises and His powerful protection. It also foreshadows how God would indeed turn the intended curses into blessings, a powerful testament to His faithfulness.

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

  • 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,
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