King James Version

What Does Numbers 22:12 Mean?

Numbers 22:12 in the King James Version says “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”

Numbers 22:12 · KJV

Context

10

And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

11

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. I shall: Heb. I shall prevail in fighting against him

12

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

13

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

14

And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

Read Numbers 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God forbids Balaam to go with Balak's messengers or curse Israel, stating 'for they are blessed.' This divine prohibition establishes a crucial theological principle: what God has blessed cannot be cursed by human or demonic power. God's sovereign blessing on Israel stems from His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, creating an irrevocable status that overrides human opposition. The phrase 'thou shalt not curse the people' uses Hebrew 'arar' (אָרַר, 'curse'), indicating powerful spiritual malediction that Balaam was renowned for wielding. However, God's prior blessing (Hebrew 'barak', בָּרַךְ) supersedes all cursing attempts. The principle applies to all believers—'If God be for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). No weapon formed against God's people ultimately prospers because we rest under divine blessing secured through Christ. Balaam's later tragic choices—despite knowing God's will, he sought ways to profit from Balak (Numbers 22:15-20, 31:16)—warn that knowing God's truth doesn't guarantee obedience if greed tempts us. This narrative demonstrates both God's sovereign protection of His people and the danger of spiritual compromise motivated by financial gain.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Balaam was a Mesopotamian diviner from Pethor on the Euphrates River, renowned for his curses' effectiveness. Balak king of Moab, terrified after watching Israel defeat the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35), hired Balaam to curse Israel. The Moabites and Midianites sent messengers with divination fees to persuade Balaam (Numbers 22:7). Ancient Near Eastern texts refer to similar professional diviners and curse-makers believed to wield spiritual power. The Deir Alla inscription (8th century BC) mentions 'Balaam son of Beor, the man who was a seer of the gods,' confirming Balaam's historical existence and reputation. Remarkably, this pagan diviner encountered the true God who commanded him not to curse Israel. Balaam's subsequent behavior showed mixed responses: he obeyed by refusing to curse Israel but later counseled Balak to seduce Israel into idolatry (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14), showing that partial obedience combined with shrewd compromise earns biblical condemnation as the 'error of Balaam' and 'way of Balaam' (Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:15). He was eventually killed during Israel's war against Midian (Numbers 31:8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's statement 'they are blessed' demonstrate that His sovereign favor overrides all human or spiritual opposition?
  2. What does Balaam's knowledge of God's will combined with persistent attempts to profit from Balak warn about spiritual compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 14

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֱלֹהִים֙2 of 14

“And God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בִּלְעָ֔ם4 of 14

“unto Balaam”

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

לֹ֥א5 of 14
H3808

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

תֵלֵ֖ךְ6 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִמָּהֶ֑ם7 of 14
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לֹ֤א8 of 14
H3808

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

תָאֹר֙9 of 14

“with them thou shalt not curse”

H779

to execrate

אֶת10 of 14
H853

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

הָעָ֔ם11 of 14

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כִּ֥י12 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בָר֖וּךְ13 of 14

“for they are 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

הֽוּא׃14 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 22:12 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 Numbers 22:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 23:5Ephesians 1:3Romans 11:29Genesis 12:2Numbers 23:19-20Deuteronomy 33:29

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 22 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes