King James Version
What Does Numbers 22:17 Mean?
“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.”
Numbers 22:17 · KJV
Context
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.
18
And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
19
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryI will promote thee unto very great honour (כַּבֵּד אְכַבֶּדְךָ, kabbēd 'akabbedkā)—The intensive Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute + verb) emphasizes extreme honor: "I will greatly, greatly honor you." Balak offered wealth, status, and blank-check authority: I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me. This is comprehensive temptation—financial security, social prestige, political power.
Yet the price was curse me this people (קָבָה, qābâ)—invoking supernatural harm on Yahweh's chosen nation. Balak's offer epitomizes Satan's strategy: kingdoms of the world in exchange for betraying God's purposes (cf. Matthew 4:8-9). Balaam knew Israel was blessed (23:8); accepting would mean fighting God for earthly treasure.
Yet the price was curse me this people (קָבָה, qābâ)—invoking supernatural harm on Yahweh's chosen nation. Balak's offer epitomizes Satan's strategy: kingdoms of the world in exchange for betraying God's purposes (cf. Matthew 4:8-9). Balaam knew Israel was blessed (23:8); accepting would mean fighting God for earthly treasure.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Royal patronage in the ancient world brought enormous wealth and influence. Court prophets enjoyed prestige, land grants, and protection. Balak essentially offered Balaam a blank check and cabinet-level authority—staggering compensation for a single curse.
Reflection Questions
- When worldly honor and unlimited resources are offered for compromising God's purposes, what does your response reveal about where you find your identity?
- How is every temptation fundamentally an offer to curse what God has blessed in exchange for temporal honor?
- What would Balak's "very great honour" cost you in eternal terms, and is any earthly promotion worth fighting against God's chosen people?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 16 wordsכִּֽי1 of 16
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙2 of 16
“For I will promote”
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
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙3 of 16
“For I will promote”
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
מְאֹ֔ד4 of 16
“thee unto very”
H3966properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וְכֹ֛ל5 of 16
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר6 of 16
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָּא֙11 of 16
H4994'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
קָֽבָה12 of 16
“therefore I pray thee curse”
H6895to scoop out, i.e., (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e., stab with words)
לִּ֔י13 of 16
H0אֵ֖ת14 of 16
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֥ם15 of 16
“me this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
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 22:17 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 22:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge