King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:10 Mean?

Joshua 24:10 in the King James Version says “But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.”

Joshua 24:10 · KJV

Salvation

Context

8

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.

9

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

10

But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

11

And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

12

And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

Read Joshua 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still (וְלֹא־אָבִיתִי לִשְׁמֹעַ לְבִלְעָם וַיְבָרֶךְ בָּרוֹךְ אֶתְכֶם)—the verb avah (אָבָה, to be willing/consent) with the negative shows God's absolute refusal to permit Balaam's curse. The phrase barech baroch (בָּרֵךְ בָּרֹךְ, blessed he blessed) uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis—Balaam blessed repeatedly, not just once. Four times Balaam pronounced blessing instead of curse (Numbers 23-24).

So I delivered you out of his hand (וָאַצִּל אֶתְכֶם מִיָּדוֹ)—the verb natsal (נָצַל, to snatch away, deliver, rescue) appears throughout Scripture for divine salvation. Though Balak hired Balaam to destroy Israel through curses, God rescued them from this spiritual attack. This demonstrates that God's electing love cannot be overthrown by human or demonic opposition. As Paul declares: 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Numbers 22-24 records Balaam's four oracles. Despite Balak's escalating anger and bribery attempts, Balaam could only speak God's word. His prophecies included: (1) Israel's uniqueness among nations, (2) God's presence among them, (3) their future military victories, and (4) the coming Messiah ('a Star out of Jacob'). Though God used Balaam's mouth for blessing, Balaam's heart remained corrupt—he later conspired to destroy Israel through seduction into Baal worship (Numbers 25, 31:16). The Moabite incident became a perpetual reminder of God's sovereign protection.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's refusal to 'hearken unto Balaam' reveal about His unchangeable commitment to His elect?
  2. How does forced blessing instead of curse demonstrate God's sovereignty over all spiritual powers?
  3. In what ways does this deliverance 'out of his hand' foreshadow Christ's greater rescue from Satan's accusations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְלֹ֥א1 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָבִ֖יתִי2 of 10

“But I would”

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ3 of 10

“not hearken”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

לְבִלְעָ֑ם4 of 10

“unto Balaam”

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

בָּרוֹךְ֙5 of 10

“therefore he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

בָּרוֹךְ֙6 of 10

“therefore he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶתְכֶ֔ם7 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וָֽאַצִּ֥ל8 of 10

“so I delivered”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶתְכֶ֖ם9 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִיָּדֽוֹ׃10 of 10

“you out of his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 24:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 24:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 23:5Numbers 24:5-10Isaiah 54:17Numbers 22:35Numbers 22:11-12Numbers 23:3-12

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