King James Version

What Does Numbers 22:6 Mean?

Numbers 22:6 in the King James Version says “Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, tha...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.”

Numbers 22:6 · KJV

Prayer

Context

4

And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

5

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: face: Heb. eye

6

Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

7

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

8

And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Balak tells Balaam: 'he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.' Balak overestimated Balaam's power - only God's blessing or curse matters ultimately. Yet Balaam's reputation suggested his words carried weight. The irony: Balaam could only speak what God put in his mouth (v.38, 23:12), so his power derived entirely from divine source, not inherent ability. This teaches that all spiritual power comes from God; human agents are merely conduits. Modern parallels exist - some attribute power to religious leaders or rituals rather than recognizing God as sole source. Only God's blessing matters; He alone determines outcomes (Prov 16:33).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Balaam lived in Pethor, Mesopotamia (v.5), known for divination and sorcery. His reputation reached Moab, suggesting his oracles had proven accurate or influential previously. Whether Balaam had genuine prophetic gift corrupted by greed or was merely clever diviner, God used him to pronounce irrevocable blessings on Israel. Balak's hiring Balaam shows pagan understanding that spiritual power could affect battles. Ancient Near Eastern texts confirm widespread belief in cursing enemies before battle. However, Balak learned what believers know: 'if God be for us, who can be against us?' (Rom 8:31). No curse affects those under divine blessing.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you attribute spiritual outcomes to human agents rather than recognizing God as ultimate source?
  2. How does understanding that only God's blessing matters free you from fear of curses, hexes, or others' ill wishes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְעַתָּה֩1 of 28
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לְכָה2 of 28
H1980

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

נָּ֨א3 of 28
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יוּאָֽר׃4 of 28

“and he whom thou cursest”

H779

to execrate

לִּ֜י5 of 28
H0
אֶת6 of 28
H853

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

הָעָ֣ם7 of 28

“me this people”

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֗ה8 of 28
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּֽי9 of 28
H3588

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

עָצ֥וּם10 of 28

“for they are too mighty”

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

הוּא֙11 of 28
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

מִמֶּ֔נִּי12 of 28
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אוּלַ֤י13 of 28
H194

if not; hence perhaps

אוּכַל֙14 of 28

“for me peradventure I shall prevail”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

נַכֶּה15 of 28

“that we may smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בּ֔וֹ16 of 28
H0
וַאֲגָֽרְשֶׁ֖נּוּ17 of 28

“them and that I may drive them out”

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

מִן18 of 28
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאָ֑רֶץ19 of 28

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּ֣י20 of 28
H3588

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

יָדַ֗עְתִּי21 of 28

“for I wot”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵ֤ת22 of 28
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר23 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מְבֹרָ֔ךְ24 of 28

“is 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

מְבֹרָ֔ךְ25 of 28

“is 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

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר26 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יוּאָֽר׃27 of 28

“and he whom thou cursest”

H779

to execrate

יוּאָֽר׃28 of 28

“and he whom thou cursest”

H779

to execrate

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 22:6 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 22:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 24:9Numbers 23:7-8Psalms 109:17-181 Kings 22:6Acts 8:9-10Genesis 12:3

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