King James Version

What Does Numbers 23:17 Mean?

Numbers 23:17 in the King James Version says “And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto h...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Numbers 23:17 · KJV

Context

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?

18

And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

19

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Read Numbers 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He stood by his burnt offering (עֹלָה, olah)—Balak's posture reveals his attempt to manipulate divine favor through ritual. The olah (burnt offering, from 'to ascend') was wholly consumed, symbolizing complete dedication to God. Yet Balaam's question What hath the LORD spoken? underscores the futility: God cannot be bought. The presence of the princes of Moab as witnesses heightens the drama—will Balaam curse Israel despite God's command?

This scene contrasts pagan transactional worship with biblical revelation. Balak assumes sacrifices compel divine compliance, but Numbers repeatedly shows God's sovereignty over pagan divination (23:8, 20, 23). The burnt offering cannot override God's blessing on Israel (Genesis 12:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred around 1405 BC as Israel camped in Moab's plains before entering Canaan. Balak, Moab's king, hired Balaam to curse Israel, fearing their military strength. Ancient Near Eastern kings regularly employed diviners before battle, viewing sacrifices as binding divine powers to human will.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do we treat worship as transactional—offering 'burnt offerings' to manipulate God's favor?
  2. How does Balaam's question 'What hath the LORD spoken?' model the proper response to ritual—submission to God's word rather than ritual manipulation?
  3. What does God's refusal to be manipulated by Balak's seven altars teach about the nature of prayer and sacrifice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 15

“And when he came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְהִנּ֤וֹ3 of 15
H2009

lo!

נִצָּב֙4 of 15

“to him behold he stood”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

עַל5 of 15
H5921

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

עֹ֣לָת֔וֹ6 of 15

“by his burnt offering”

H5930

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

וְשָׂרֵ֥י7 of 15

“and the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מוֹאָ֖ב8 of 15

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

אִתּ֑וֹ9 of 15
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר10 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙11 of 15
H0
בָּלָ֔ק12 of 15

“with him And Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

מַה13 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

דִּבֶּ֖ר14 of 15

“spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָֽה׃15 of 15

“unto him What hath the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 23:17 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 23:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 37:17Numbers 23:261 Samuel 3:17

Places in This Verse

Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Numbers 23 →

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