King James Version

What Does Numbers 23:3 Mean?

Numbers 23:3 in the King James Version says “And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. to an: or, solitary”

Numbers 23:3 · KJV

Context

1

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

2

And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.

3

And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. to an: or, solitary

4

And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.

5

And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

Read Numbers 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Balaam's instruction 'Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me' reveals his uncertainty about receiving divine revelation. The Hebrew ulay (peradventure/perhaps) shows he could not command God's presence. This contrasts sharply with Mosaic prophecy where God spoke regularly and reliably to His appointed prophet. Balaam's tentative approach exposed him as an outsider to covenant relationship. He could not presume on divine communication but must wait to see if God would condescend to speak. True prophets know God's voice; Balaam hoped for it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Balaam's phrase 'the LORD will come to meet me' (yiqareh YHWH liqrati) uses language of divine encounter. Moses regularly experienced such encounters at the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11). Balaam's hope that God might meet him shows he understood Yahweh's personal nature, unlike impersonal pagan deities. However, his uncertainty revealed he had no covenant relationship guaranteeing divine communion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covenant relationship with God provide assurance of His presence versus uncertain hope?
  2. What distinguishes authentic prophetic calling from freelance spiritual practitioners?
  3. How do believers know God's voice versus mere hope that He might speak?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּלְעָ֜ם2 of 18

“And Balaam”

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

לְבָלָ֗ק3 of 18

“unto Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

הִתְיַצֵּב֮4 of 18

“Stand”

H3320

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

עַל5 of 18
H5921

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

עֹֽלָתֶךָ֒6 of 18

“by thy burnt offering”

H5930

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

וְאֵֽלְכָ֗ה7 of 18
H1980

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

אוּלַ֞י8 of 18
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יִקָּרֵ֤ה9 of 18

“will come”

H7136

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

יְהוָה֙10 of 18

“peradventure the LORD”

H3068

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

לִקְרָאתִ֔י11 of 18

“to meet”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וּדְבַ֥ר12 of 18

“me and whatsoever”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

מַה13 of 18
H4100

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

יַּרְאֵ֖נִי14 of 18

“he sheweth”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִגַּ֣דְתִּי15 of 18

“me I will tell”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לָ֑ךְ16 of 18
H0
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ17 of 18
H1980

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

שֶֽׁפִי׃18 of 18

“to an high place”

H8205

bareness; concretely, a bare hill or plain

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 23:3 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 23:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 23:15Leviticus 1:1Genesis 22:7-8Numbers 22:31-35Genesis 22:13Numbers 24:1

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