King James Version

What Does Numbers 22:14 Mean?

Numbers 22:14 in the King James Version says “And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. — study this verse from Numbers chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Numbers 22:14 · KJV


Context

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.

15

And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

16

And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: Let: Heb. Be not thou hindered from, etc


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Balaam refuseth to come with us—The princes misrepresented Balaam to Balak. He didn't say "I refuse"; he said "the LORD refuseth." This subtle distortion shows how half-hearted obedience gets misinterpreted. Balaam's ambiguous response—neither burning Balak's bridges nor fully honoring God—created confusion.

The princes' report omitted God entirely, reducing a theological matter to Balaam's personal preference. This secular framing would prompt Balak to try again with greater incentives, exactly what a greedy prophet might hope for. Balaam's failure to clearly witness to Yahweh's sovereignty made him appear merely difficult to persuade, not bound by divine command.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient diplomacy, messengers were expected to report verbatim. The princes' abbreviated message suggests they either didn't understand or deliberately simplified Balaam's response, perhaps assuming Balak could overcome religious scruples with better compensation.

Reflection Questions

  1. When others misrepresent your obedience to God as personal preference, have you made God's authority clear enough?
  2. How does ambiguous witness to God's commands invite others to test your resolve with greater temptations?
  3. What would change if you explained God's prohibitions as His sovereign will rather than your reluctance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיָּק֙וּמוּ֙1 of 11

rose up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

שָׂרֵ֣י2 of 11

And the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מוֹאָ֔ב3 of 11

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ4 of 11

and they went

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל5 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּלָ֑ק6 of 11

unto Balak

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ7 of 11

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֵאֵ֥ן8 of 11

refuseth

H3985

to refuse

בִּלְעָ֖ם9 of 11

Balaam

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

הֲלֹ֥ךְ10 of 11

to come

H1980

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

עִמָּֽנוּ׃11 of 11
H5973

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


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 22:14 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 22:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study