King James Version

What Does Numbers 23:27 Mean?

Numbers 23:27 in the King James Version says “And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God tha...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.”

Numbers 23:27 · KJV

Prayer

Context

25

And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

26

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

27

And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.

28

And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

29

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence—Balak's third attempt (אוּלַי יִישַׁר בְּעֵינֵי הָאֱלֹהִים ulay yishar be'einei ha'Elohim, 'perhaps it will be right in God's eyes') reveals pagan superstition that changing locations might alter divine will. After two failed curse attempts (23:7-10, 23:18-24), Balak persisted in seeking manipulable outcomes.

The phrase it will please God exposes fundamental misunderstanding of Yahweh's character—God's will doesn't fluctuate based on geography or repeated requests. Isaiah 14:27 declares 'The LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?' Balak's persistence exemplifies the pagan mindset that divine favor is negotiable through finding the right formula, contrasting with biblical submission to God's unchanging purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This third cursing attempt moved from Bamot-baal (22:41) to Pisgah's field (23:14) to Peor's summit (23:28), demonstrating Balak's desperation. In pagan thought, different locations had varying spiritual 'power levels,' making prophetic outcomes venue-dependent. Balaam exploited this superstition, collecting fees for each failed attempt.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Balak's venue-hopping to manipulate God's will parallel modern attempts to find the 'right formula' for guaranteed blessings?
  2. What does Balak's phrase 'perhaps it will please God' reveal about pagan versus biblical understanding of divine sovereignty?
  3. How can you discern when persistence in prayer reflects faith versus attempts to manipulate God into reversing His clear will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּלָק֙2 of 17

“And Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בִּלְעָ֔ם4 of 17

“unto Balaam”

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

לְכָה5 of 17
H1980

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

נָּא֙6 of 17
H4994

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

אֶקָּ֣חֲךָ֔7 of 17

“I pray thee I will bring”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶל8 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָק֖וֹם9 of 17

“place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אַחֵ֑ר10 of 17

“thee unto another”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

אוּלַ֤י11 of 17
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יִישַׁר֙12 of 17
H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינֵ֣י13 of 17
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים14 of 17

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְקַבֹּ֥תוֹ15 of 17

“that thou mayest curse”

H6895

to scoop out, i.e., (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e., stab with words)

לִ֖י16 of 17
H0
מִשָּֽׁם׃17 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 23:27 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 23:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 11:29Proverbs 19:21Proverbs 21:30Isaiah 14:27Numbers 23:13Job 23:13

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