King James Version
What Does Numbers 22:15 Mean?
“And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.”
Numbers 22:15 · KJV
Context
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
17
For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryBalak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they—Balak escalated both the size and status of his delegation. The Hebrew יְקָרִים (yeqārîm, "more honourable") indicates higher-ranking nobles, a greater honor for Balaam. This ancient Near Eastern strategy—when initial envoys fail, send more prestigious representatives—aimed to flatter recipients into compliance.
Balak's persistence reveals he interpreted Balaam's first refusal as negotiable, not absolute. Had Balaam definitively closed the door ("God forbids cursing His people, and I will not discuss this further"), no second embassy would come. But his ambiguous response signaled he might be persuaded.
Balak's persistence reveals he interpreted Balaam's first refusal as negotiable, not absolute. Had Balaam definitively closed the door ("God forbids cursing His people, and I will not discuss this further"), no second embassy would come. But his ambiguous response signaled he might be persuaded.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Moabite kings, descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:37), ruled a territory east of the Dead Sea. Balak's willingness to send multiple high-level delegations hundreds of miles demonstrates how desperately Moab feared Israel's approach and how highly Balaam's curse-power was valued.
Reflection Questions
- When worldly authorities escalate their offers after your initial "no," what does your wavering communicate about God's authority in your life?
- How does leaving interpretive room in your obedience invite more sophisticated temptations?
- What half-open doors in your spiritual life allow the enemy to send "more honourable princes" to negotiate?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 8 wordsע֖וֹד2 of 8
H5750properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וְנִכְבָּדִ֖ים7 of 8
“and more honourable”
H3513to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
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 22:15 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 22:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge