King James Version

What Does Numbers 23:15 Mean?

Numbers 23:15 in the King James Version says “And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.”

Numbers 23:15 · KJV

Context

13

And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.

14

And he brought him into the field of Zophim , to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. Pisgah: or, the hill

15

And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.

16

And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

17

And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?

Read Numbers 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Balaam's instruction 'Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder' uses the same formula as before (verse 3), showing Balaam's continued belief that ritual position matters. The Hebrew karah (meet) indicates seeking divine encounter. Despite the first oracle's failure to curse, Balak persists with identical ritual, revealing human tendency to repeat failed methods hoping for different results. This exposes the futility of religious formalism divorced from submission to God's will. Prayer and ritual divorced from obedience become mere superstition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The repetition of seven altars and seven sacrifices at each location shows escalating expense and effort. Balak invested enormous resources—twenty-one bulls and twenty-one rams across three attempts—hoping to purchase spiritual power. This demonstrates that money and effort cannot change divine decrees. True worship requires submissive hearts, not elaborate ritual. Jesus later condemned such external religion devoid of internal reality (Matthew 23:25-28).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do we persist in repeating religious rituals that produce no spiritual fruit?
  2. How does external religious activity substitute for genuine heart submission?
  3. What does it mean to meet God versus perform religious duties?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 10

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּלָ֔ק3 of 10

“unto Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

הִתְיַצֵּ֥ב4 of 10

“Stand”

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

כֹּֽה׃5 of 10

“here”

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

עַל6 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֹֽלָתֶ֑ךָ7 of 10

“by thy burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י8 of 10
H595

i

אִקָּ֥רֶה9 of 10

“while I meet”

H7136

to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)

כֹּֽה׃10 of 10

“here”

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

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 23:15 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 23:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 23:3Numbers 22:8

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 23 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes