King James Version
What Does Numbers 22:37 Mean?
“And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?”
Numbers 22:37 · KJV
Context
35
And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36
And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
37
And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
38
And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth . Kirjathhuzoth: or, a city of streets
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryDid I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? (הֲלֹא שָׁלֹחַ שָׁלַחְתִּי, halo shaloch shalachti)—The Hebrew uses emphatic repetition (infinitive absolute) meaning "Did I not urgently, repeatedly send?" Balak's wounded pride surfaces: he sent messengers three times, offered great rewards (22:17), and Balaam still delayed. His complaint wherefore camest thou not unto me? betrays ignorance of the divine restraint that prevented Balaam's earlier departure.
Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? (הַאֻמְנָם לֹא־אוּכַל כַּבְּדֶךָ, ha'umnam lo-uchal kabed'kha)—Balak's final appeal uses kabad, to make heavy/weighty with honor and wealth. The tragic irony: Balak offers to "honor" Balaam for cursing those whom God has blessed (23:20), not realizing that cursing God's people brings destruction, not honor. Balaam soon learns he can only speak what the LORD puts in his mouth (23:12).
Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? (הַאֻמְנָם לֹא־אוּכַל כַּבְּדֶךָ, ha'umnam lo-uchal kabed'kha)—Balak's final appeal uses kabad, to make heavy/weighty with honor and wealth. The tragic irony: Balak offers to "honor" Balaam for cursing those whom God has blessed (23:20), not realizing that cursing God's people brings destruction, not honor. Balaam soon learns he can only speak what the LORD puts in his mouth (23:12).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
This exchange reflects ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocol where delayed responses to royal summons were insults to honor. Balak, king of Moab (circa 1406 BC), couldn't comprehend that a prophet might refuse royal favor. The offer of "honor" (riches, position) was standard payment for prophetic/divinatory services in that culture.
Reflection Questions
- How does Balak's focus on his own honor and ability blind him to God's sovereignty over blessing and cursing?
- When have you been offended that someone didn't immediately respond to your "generous" offer, not seeing God's restraining hand?
- What does Balaam's situation teach about the impossibility of profiting from opposing God's declared purposes?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 18 wordsהֲלֹא֩5 of 18
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי6 of 18
“Did I not earnestly”
H7971to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי7 of 18
“Did I not earnestly”
H7971to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לִקְרֹא9 of 18
“unto thee to call”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לָ֔ךְ10 of 18
H0לָ֥מָּה11 of 18
H4100properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹֽא12 of 18
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָלַ֖כְתָּ13 of 18
“thee wherefore camest”
H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לֹ֥א16 of 18
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַ֖ל17 of 18
“thou not unto me am I not able”
H3201to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
כַּבְּדֶֽךָ׃18 of 18
“to promote thee to honour”
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 22:37 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 22:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge