Numbers 23:17

And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?

And when he came {H935} to him, behold, he stood {H5324} by his burnt offering {H5930}, and the princes {H8269} of Moab {H4124} with him. And Balak {H1111} said {H559} unto him, What hath the LORD {H3068} spoken {H1696}?

He came to him and stood by his burnt offering, with all the princes of Mo'av. Balak asked him, "What did ADONAI say?"

So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. โ€œWhat did the LORD say?โ€ Balak asked.

And he came to him, and, lo, he was standing by his burnt-offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath Jehovah spoken?

Commentary

Numbers 23:17 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balak, king of Moab, and the prophet Balaam. After Balaam's first attempt to curse Israel resulted in a blessing, Balak moves Balaam to a new location, hoping a change of scenery and fresh sacrifices will yield a different outcome. This verse describes the impatient return of Balak to Balaam, eager to hear the divine word.

Context

This verse follows Balaam's first oracle, delivered from Kirjath-huzoth, where despite Balak's intentions, Balaam was compelled by God to bless Israel instead of curse them (Numbers 23:11-12). Frustrated but not defeated, Balak leads Balaam to a new vantage point, "the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah" (Numbers 23:14), believing that perhaps seeing only a portion of Israel would change the divine decree. Here, Balaam again performed sacrifices, setting the stage for his second prophetic utterance. Balak's question, "What hath the LORD spoken?", highlights his desperation and the intense anticipation surrounding Balaam's pronouncements, which were meant to determine the fate of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Control over Prophecy: Balak's persistent questioning and repeated sacrifices underscore his belief that Balaam could manipulate God's will. However, this verse, and the subsequent oracle, powerfully demonstrate that God alone controls the message, using even a diviner for hire like Balaam to declare His sovereign purposes. Balaam himself had stated, "Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?"
  • Balak's Impatience and Persistence: The king's immediate question upon returning reveals his anxiety and his unwavering determination to achieve his goal of cursing Israel. His actions show a human tendency to try and force God's hand or change His mind through ritual or location.
  • The Expectation of Revelation: The scene portrays the solemnity and anticipation surrounding the delivery of a divine message. Both Balak and the princes of Moab are present, waiting to hear the outcome of Balaam's communion with the LORD, emphasizing the gravity of God's spoken word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase, "What hath the LORD spoken?" (Hebrew: ืžึทื”ึพื“ึดึผื‘ึถึผืจ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”, mah-dibber Yahweh) is a direct and urgent inquiry. The use of Yahweh (LORD, God's personal covenant name) by Balak, a Moabite king, through his pagan prophet, is significant. It suggests that even outside of Israel, there was an acknowledgment of the power and authority of Israel's God, or at least a recognition that Balaam claimed to speak for Him. Balak isn't asking what Balaam feels or thinks, but what God has declared.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans and decrees cannot be thwarted or manipulated by human efforts, sacrifices, or changes in circumstance. Just as Balak could not force God to curse Israel, we cannot force God to act outside of His will or promises. We are called to wait patiently for God's word to accomplish its purpose, trusting in His unchanging character and His sovereign control over all things. It encourages us to seek God's true revelation rather than trying to bend it to our desires.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 23:26 (2 votes)

    But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

  • Jeremiah 37:17 (2 votes)

    Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there [any] word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

  • 1 Samuel 3:17 (2 votes)

    And he said, What [is] the thing that [the LORD] hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide [it] not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide [any] thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.