King James Version

What Does Numbers 23:7 Mean?

Numbers 23:7 in the King James Version says “And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.”

Numbers 23:7 · KJV

Context

5

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

6

And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.

7

And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

8

How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?

9

For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

Read Numbers 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Balaam's oracle begins 'Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.' This introduction establishes the commission he received and cannot fulfill. The Hebrew parallelism—'curse me Jacob...defy Israel'—uses both covenant names for God's people. Balaam must publicly acknowledge his hiring for cursing, making his subsequent blessing all the more dramatic. This pattern—announcing intended evil, then blessing instead—magnifies God's protective power. What men purpose for harm, God turns to blessing (Genesis 50:20).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Aram refers to the region of Syria/Mesopotamia, confirming Balaam's great distance from Moab. The 'mountains of the east' likely refers to the region near Haran where Abraham's family originated. Balaam came from the same geographical region as Israel's patriarchs, possibly explaining his knowledge of Yahweh. The great distance Balak paid Balaam to travel underscored the importance of this spiritual battle.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's reversal of intended curses into blessings demonstrate His redemptive power?
  2. What does it mean that human purposes for evil become occasions for divine blessing?
  3. How should we respond when we learn of schemes against us that God has thwarted?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א1 of 18

“And he took up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מְשָׁל֖וֹ2 of 18

“his parable”

H4912

properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר3 of 18

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִן4 of 18
H4480

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

אֲ֠רָם5 of 18

“me from Aram”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

יַנְחֵ֨נִי6 of 18

“hath brought”

H5148

to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)

בָלָ֤ק7 of 18

“Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

מֶֽלֶךְ8 of 18

“the king”

H4428

a king

מוֹאָב֙9 of 18

“of Moab”

H4124

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

מֵֽהַרְרֵי10 of 18

“out of the mountains”

H2042

a mountain

קֶ֔דֶם11 of 18

“of the east”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

לְכָה֙12 of 18
H1980

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

אָֽרָה13 of 18

“curse”

H779

to execrate

לִּ֣י14 of 18
H0
יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב15 of 18

“me Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וּלְכָ֖ה16 of 18
H1980

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

זֹֽעֲמָ֥ה17 of 18

“defy”

H2194

properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃18 of 18

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 23:7 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 23:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 24:3Deuteronomy 23:4Numbers 23:18Numbers 22:5-6Job 29:1Numbers 24:23

Places in This Verse

AramRegion · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E11 verses across 7 books
EastRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E18 verses across 10 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Numbers 23 →

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