Balaam’s Third Oracle
Numbers 23:27-24:14
Num.23.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכה: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- נא: PART
- אקחך: VERB,qal,imprf,1,_,sg
- אל: NEG
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- אולי: ADV
- יישר: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וקבתו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- משם: PREP
Parallels
- Numbers 22:41 (structural): Balak's earlier action of taking Balaam to a high place (the top of Peor) to seek a curse mirrors the present proposal to move Balaam to a different location in hopes of obtaining a different divine response.
- Numbers 23:14 (verbal): Shortly after 23:27 Balak actually brings Balaam to 'the field of Zophim to the top of Pisgah'—a near-verbatim continuation of the plan to change location to secure a favorable oracle.
- Numbers 23:8 (thematic): Balaam's declaration that he cannot curse whom God has not cursed highlights the theme behind 23:27: Balak's attempt to manipulate prophetic speech by changing setting is ultimately subject to God's sovereign will.
- Numbers 24:1–2 (thematic): After being moved to various vantage points, Balaam sees that the LORD delights to bless Israel and therefore blesses them—showing that the efforts to obtain a curse by relocation (as in 23:27) fail because God's purpose controls the oracle.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Balak said to Balaam, "Come now, let me take you to another place; perhaps it will be pleasing in the eyes of the gods, and you will curse them for me from there."
- And Balak said to Balaam, 'Come now, let me take you to another place; perhaps it will be pleasing in the sight of the gods, and you will curse them for me from there.'
Num.23.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,def
- הנשקף: ADJ,ptc,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הישימן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 22:41 (verbal): Earlier description of the same event—Balaam is led to the top of Peor/Pisgah by Balak; nearly identical locational language.
- Numbers 23:14 (verbal): Balak again moves Balaam to a different high vantage (the field of Zophim/to the top of Pisgah) using similar phrasing about the outlook toward Jeshimon.
- Numbers 24:1 (structural): From the high place to which Balak brings him Balaam sees Israel and utters his prophetic oracles—this verse continues the narrative begun at the lookout on Peor.
- Numbers 25:1-9 (thematic): The site Peor becomes the scene of Israel's later sin with Moabite women (Baal-peor), thematically linking the location to consequent judgment and narrative significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Balak took Balaam to the summit of Peor, which looks out over the wilderness.
- So Balak took Balaam to the summit of Peor, which looks out over the wasteland.
Num.23.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בזה: PREP+DEM
- שבעה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזבחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והכן: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בזה: PREP+DEM
- שבעה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושבעה: CONJ+NUM,m,sg,abs
- אילים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Num.22:41 (verbal): Same ritual scene earlier in the Balaam cycle: Balaam (and Balak) build seven altars and offer a bull and a ram on each—essentially the same wording and action.
- 1 Kgs.18:30-39 (thematic): Elijah rebuilds an altar and offers a bull to Yahweh to elicit a divine response; parallels in altar-building, sacrificial bull, and seeking a heavenly sign/judgment.
- Gen.33:20 (thematic): Jacob builds an altar after a significant encounter and names it for God—another instance of erecting an altar to mark worship/encounter with the divine.
- Lev.1:3 (structural): Describes the prescribed burnt offerings (a bull from the herd or a male sheep); provides cultic background for the specific animal offerings (bulls and rams) that Balaam requests.
Alternative generated candidates
- Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams."
- And Balaam said to Balak, 'Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.'
Num.23.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואיל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במזבח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 22:41 (verbal): Same scene earlier in the Balaam narrative: Balak builds altars and offers bulls and rams (similar ritual language) and there is the same formula of doing as Balaam had said/going to their places.
- Numbers 24:25 (structural): Concluding formula for the oracle sequence—‘Balaam rose up and returned to his place; and Balak went his way’—repeats the departure/closure of the prophetic encounter.
- Genesis 12:7–8 (thematic): Abram builds an altar, offers/worships, and then departs; parallels the pattern of erecting an altar/offering in response to a divine or prophetic encounter and then leaving.
- Judges 6:25–27 (thematic): Gideon is commanded to build an altar and offer a sacrifice in response to a divine word—similar ritual response to prophetic instruction and the localized altar-building motif.
- 1 Kings 18:30–39 (thematic): Elijah repairs/builds the altar and offers the sacrifice before God answers by fire—a prophetic/ritual enactment that echoes the connection between altar-offering and divine response in the Balaam/ Balak episodes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Balak did as Balaam had commanded; he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- And Balak did as Balaam said; and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Num.24.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לברך: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כפעם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בפעם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לקראת: PREP
- נחשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 23:20 (verbal): Balaam explicitly states that God 'has blessed, and I cannot reverse it' (God does not lie or repent), directly echoing 24:1's observation that the LORD delighted to bless Israel so Balaam would not curse them.
- Numbers 23:21-24 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same narrative: these verses contain Balaam's oracles that celebrate Israel's protection and destiny—they form the larger context for 24:1's report that Balaam is compelled to bless.
- Genesis 12:2-3 (thematic): God's promise to Abraham that he will 'make your name great and you will be a blessing... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you' parallels the broader theme that God intends blessing for Israel and the nations.
- 2 Peter 2:15-16 (allusion): The New Testament alludes to the Balaam episode (rebuked for wrongdoing, the story of the dumb donkey) as it treats Balaam's role in the narrative—this recalls the same Balaam who in Numbers 24 was prevented from cursing Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, and he no longer went, as at other times, to seek omens; he set his face toward the wilderness.
- Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel; and he did not go, as at other times, to seek omens—his face was turned toward the wilderness.
Num.24.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- עיניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכן: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לשבטיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 23:7-10 (structural): Immediate continuation of the Balaam narrative: after the Spirit comes upon him he utters an oracle blessing Israel (e.g., 'How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob'), showing the Spirit's effect in producing prophetic praise of Israel.
- Numbers 22:18 (quotation): Balaam's earlier declaration ('How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? ... I can only do the word of the LORD') frames why, when the Spirit comes on him, he blesses rather than curses Israel.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (verbal): Uses the same formulaic language—'the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he prophesied'—linking the Spirit's coming with the onset of prophetic speech.
- 2 Chronicles 20:14 (thematic): 'The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel' and he delivers a divinely given message for Israel's sake; parallels the motif of the Spirit empowering a prophet to speak God's word about Israel's situation.
- Ezekiel 2:2 (verbal): Ezekiel: 'the Spirit entered into me and set me upon my feet'—a closely related depiction of the Spirit's physical/active presence enabling prophetic vision and utterance, comparable to the Spirit falling on Balaam.
Alternative generated candidates
- Balaam lifted his eyes and saw Israel camped according to their tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him.
- Balaam lifted his eyes and saw Israel dwelling in their tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him.
Num.24.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff_3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונאם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העין: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Num.23.7 (verbal): Same prophetic introduction formula — “וישא משלו ויאמר נעם בלעם בן בעור…” begins Balaam’s first oracle, matching the wording and speaker identification.
- Num.24.15 (verbal): Another instance in the Balaam cycle where he ‘takes up his oracle’ and speaks (repetition of the formula and structural pattern of successive oracles).
- Josh.13.22 (allusion): Mentions “Balaam son of Beor” as a diviner among Israel’s opponents, linking the individual named in Num 24:3 to other biblical references to Balaam’s activity.
- Rev.2.14 (thematic): New Testament reference to the ‘teaching of Balaam’ — later writers draw on Balaam’s persona/oracles in Numbers to critique false teaching and compromise, echoing the Balaam tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- He took up his oracle and said, "Says Balaam son of Beor, the man whose eye is opened—
- He spoke his oracle and said, 'The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is opened:
Num.24.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אמרי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מחזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שדי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחזה: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וגלוי: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עינים: NOUN,f,du,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 24:3 (structural): Immediate context — the preceding verse also frames Balaam’s prophetic inspiration and introduces his visionary utterance; both describe the prophetic state leading to the oracle.
- Genesis 15:12 (thematic): Abram ‘fell into a deep sleep’ when God revealed Himself (vision/night‐phenomenon); parallels the motif of falling into a God‑given ecstatic or trance state at the moment of divine revelation.
- Ezekiel 1:1-3 (verbal): Ezekiel’s report that ‘the word of the LORD came’ and that the hand/spirit of the LORD was upon him parallels Balaam’s language of hearing God’s words and seeing the vision of Shaddai (prophetic commission and visionary encounter).
- Job 33:15 (thematic): Speaks of God communicating in dreams and visions—‘in a dream, in a vision of the night’—and opening perception; connects to Balaam’s claim to hear God’s words and behold a divine vision.
- Isaiah 6:1-5 (thematic): Isaiah’s visionary seeing of the Lord and the overpowering, revelatory encounter with the Divine echoes Balaam’s testimony of perceiving a vision of the Almighty (both depict prophetic sight of God and its effect on the seer).
Alternative generated candidates
- Hear the words of the one who hears God, the vision of the Almighty; he fell into a trance, and his eyes were opened."
- the utterance of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, whose eyes are opened.
Num.24.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מה: PRON,int
- טבו: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אהליך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2,ms
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- משכנתיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs,2,ms
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 84:1 (verbal): Both verses open with the exclamation 'How lovely/how good' and praise 'dwelling-places' (Heb. מַעֲנוֹת / מִשְׁכָּנוֹת): a similar lexicon and celebration of sacred/beautiful dwellings.
- Deuteronomy 33:28 (thematic): Moses' blessing that 'Israel dwells in safety' and enjoys a secure, prosperous land parallels Balaam's praise of Israel's good encampments and well-being.
- Isaiah 33:20 (verbal): Uses the phrase עִיר־מִשְׁכָּנוֹת ('city of dwellings') and depicts Zion as a secure, comely habitation, echoing the imagery of Israel's tents/dwellings in Numbers 24:5.
- Ezekiel 37:26-28 (thematic): God's promise to establish his sanctuary among Israel and give them everlasting security resonates with Balaam's blessing of Israel's pleasant, divinely favored dwellings.
Alternative generated candidates
- How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
- How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!
Num.24.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כנחלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נטיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כגנת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נהר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאהלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נטע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כארזים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 1:3 (verbal): Uses the same simile — a person (or nation) likened to a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit and prospering, echoing the rivers/garden imagery.
- Jeremiah 17:7–8 (verbal): Directly parallels the language of being 'like a tree planted by the waters' to convey stability, blessing, and divine sustenance.
- Isaiah 61:3 (thematic): Speaks of the righteous as 'oaks of righteousness' and 'the planting of the LORD,' echoing the motif of God as planter and the people flourishing under his care.
- Hosea 14:6–7 (thematic): Uses agricultural and water-related imagery (dew, rooting, blossoming like trees) to describe national restoration and vitality, paralleling the fertile-garden motif.
- Ezekiel 17:22–24 (allusion): God 'takes a sprig' and plants it (a cedar) to grow and prosper on a high mountain — a prophetic enactment of God-initiated planting and flourishing similar to the cedar/river images in Num 24:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Like valleys spread abroad, like gardens beside a river, like trees planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
- Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river; the LORD has planted them like cedars by the waters.
Num.24.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יזל: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מדליו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- וזרעו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+prsuf:3,m,sg
- במים: PREP
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וירם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאגג: PREP+PN,sg,m
- מלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ותנשא: CONJ+VERB,niphal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- מלכתו: NOUN,f,sg,suff
Parallels
- Deut.33.13-17 (thematic): Moses’ blessing of Joseph uses imagery of abundance, streams and multiplied offspring—like Balaam’s image of water-poured buckets and seed in many waters (promise of fertility and prosperity).
- Gen.49.22-26 (thematic): Jacob’s blessing of Joseph depicts him as a fruitful bough by a spring whose branches run over the wall, echoing the idea of prolific offspring and prosperity found in Num 24:7.
- Ps.72.6-11 (thematic): Royal blessing psalm that pairs imagery of life-giving rain and flourishing under a righteous king with the expansion and exaltation of the king’s rule—paralleling Balaam’s promise that Israel’s king will be exalted.
- Esther 3.1 (allusion): Mentions Haman the Agagite (descendant of Agag). Num 24:7’s comparison to Agag invokes the Amalekite royal line and helps explain the background significance of 'Agag' in later texts (hostile rival lineage).
Alternative generated candidates
- Water shall flow from their buckets; their seed shall be by many waters; their king shall be greater than Agag, and their kingdom shall be exalted.
- May water flow from his buckets, and his seed be scattered in many waters; his king shall be greater than Agag, and his kingdom exalted.
Num.24.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- מוציאו: VERB,hiphil,ptcp,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כתועפת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ראם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- צריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ועצמתיהם: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- יגרם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וחציו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ימחץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 23:22 (quotation): Nearly identical oracle earlier in Balaam's speeches: repeats 'God brought them out of Egypt' and the wild-ox/unicorn strength image and the language of eating nations, breaking bones, and piercing with arrows.
- Deuteronomy 33:17 (verbal): Moses' blessing of Joseph uses horn/bull imagery ('his horns are like the horns of unicorns') to denote strength and dominance—paralleling the 'horns/wild ox' metaphor for Israel's power over nations.
- Exodus 15:3 (thematic): The Song of Moses portrays YHWH as a warrior who delivered Israel from Egypt ('The LORD is a man of war'), echoing the theme of divine deliverance and military victory found in Num 24:8.
- Psalm 68:1 (thematic): Calls God to arise so his enemies are scattered—resonant with Num 24:8's depiction of consuming and crushing Israel's foes, emphasizing divine action against nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- God who brought them out of Egypt is for them like the strength of a wild ox; he will devour the nations, his foes, and will break their bones and pierce them through with his arrows.
- God who brought him out of Egypt is to him like the horns of a wild ox; he will devour nations, his foes, and will shatter their bones and pierce them with his arrows.
Num.24.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כרע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- כארי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכלביא: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יקימנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מברכיך: PART,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- ברוך: ADJ,m,sg
- וארריך: CONJ+PART,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- ארור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 49:9 (verbal): Judah portrayed as a lion (lion imagery) — both verses use the lion motif to signify strength, fierceness, and royal power associated with Israel/the tribes.
- Judges 14:5-6 (thematic): Samson's encounter with a lion evokes the motif of lion-as-divine strength; thematically parallels the depiction of Israel (or its champions) as a lion that cannot easily be roused.
- Genesis 12:3 (verbal): God's promise to Abraham — "I will bless those who bless you, and curse him who curses you" — is the same blessing/curse formula echoed in Numbers 24:9.
- Genesis 27:29 (verbal): Isaac's blessing on Jacob uses the near-identical wording, "cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you," paralleling the blessing/curse formula in Balaam's oracle.
Alternative generated candidates
- He crouched down, he lay down like a lion, like a lioness—who can rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.
- They crouch and lie down like lions, like lionesses—who will rouse them? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.
Num.24.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויספק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כפיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- איבי: NOUN,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- קראתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- והנה: ADV
- ברכת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ברך: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA,NA
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 23:11 (verbal): Balak's complaint here is nearly identical in wording — he says he called Balaam to curse his enemies but Balaam blessed them, an earlier occurrence of the same rebuke.
- Numbers 23:7-10 (structural): Balaam's first oracle unexpectedly blesses Israel rather than curse it; this initial blessing establishes the pattern that culminates in Balak's anger in 24:10.
- Numbers 24:3-9 (structural): The third set of Balaam's oracles (24:3–9) contains the blessings of Israel that directly provoke Balak's anger and the rebuke recorded in 24:10.
- Deuteronomy 18:18-22 (thematic): God's criterion for true prophecy — that a prophet speaks only what the LORD commands and is tested by the truth of his word — parallels Balaam's insistence that he can only say what God puts in his mouth.
- 1 Kings 22:8-28 (thematic): Micaiah's unwelcome prophecy before Ahab (contrasting with the king's hopes and the court prophets) echoes the theme of a ruler's anger when a prophet gives God's word rather than the desired flattering oracle.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times."
- Then Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times.'
Num.24.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- ברח: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- מקומך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- כבד: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אכבדך: VERB,qal,imprf,1,NA,sg
- והנה: ADV
- מנעך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מכבוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 22:18 (verbal): Balaam declares he cannot go beyond the word of the LORD even for great reward—parallels Num 24:11's theme that human plans to honor or direct him are frustrated by God's control.
- Numbers 22:35 (structural): God's angel permits Balaam to go but restricts him to speak only God's word; structurally this episode explains how the LORD 'withheld' Balaam from carrying out Balak's intent, as stated in Num 24:11.
- Psalm 75:6–7 (thematic): Affirms the theological principle that honor and promotion come from God, not human decree—echoing Num 24:11's assertion that the LORD withheld the honor Balak intended to give.
- 1 Samuel 2:7–8 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD bringing low and lifting up, and taking away honor from the mighty—themewise aligned with the idea that God alone controls who is honored (cf. Num 24:11).
- Genesis 41:40–41 (thematic): Pharaoh's promise to exalt Joseph (and the reality of divine bestowal of authority) provides a contrastive example of human offers of honor ultimately dependent on God's sovereign appointment, illuminating Num 24:11's claim that the LORD withheld honor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore flee to your place; I said I would honor you, and behold, the LORD has withheld that honor from you."
- 'Now therefore flee to your place; I said I would greatly honor you, but behold, the LORD has withheld honor from you.'
Num.24.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- גם: ADV
- אל: NEG
- מלאכיך: NOUN,m,pl,cs,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- דברתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 22:7 (structural): Balak sends princes/messengers to Balaam — establishes the envoy motif and initial contact that 24:12 refers back to.
- Numbers 22:18 (verbal): Balaam tells the messengers he will 'bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me' — echoes the same emphasis on speaking only what God gives, central to 24:12's exchange.
- Numbers 22:20 (thematic): Balaam reports that the LORD refused to let him go with the messengers — parallels the contentious negotiation between Balaam and Balak's envoys reflected in 24:12.
- Numbers 24:13 (structural): Immediate sequel to 24:12: Balaam instructs the messengers to return and promises to report what Israel will do — completes the same conversation referenced in 24:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also speak to the messengers whom you sent to me, saying—
- Balaam said to Balak, 'Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying—
Num.24.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בלק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אוכל: VERB,qal,part,1,m,sg
- לעבר: PREP+INF,qal
- את: PRT,acc
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- טובה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons,+poss1s
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אדבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,-,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 22:18-19 (verbal): Balaam explicitly says he cannot go beyond the word of the LORD and will speak only what God puts in his mouth — a near-verbatim precursor to 24:13's claim of inability to act contrary to Yahweh's word.
- Numbers 23:8 (verbal): ‘How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?’ — another immediate parallel in the Balaam cycle asserting that his utterance must align with God's will, not Balak’s wishes or payment.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (thematic): Sets the principle that a true prophet speaks only what Yahweh has commanded; offers the standard by which Balaam’s fidelity to divine speech is assessed.
- 1 Kings 22:14-23 (structural): The episode with Micaiah—where a prophet resists royal pressure and contrasts with flattering false prophets—parallels Balaam’s refusal to speak for hire and the tension between royal demand and divine commission.
- Acts 5:29 (thematic): ‘We must obey God rather than men’ echoes the moral principle in Num 24:13: God's word overrides human inducements or commands, so the speaker cannot be bought to oppose it.
Alternative generated candidates
- ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD to do either less or more; whatever the LORD speaks, that I will speak.'"
- 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the command of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will; whatever the LORD speaks, that I will speak.'
Num.24.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- הולך: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- לעמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def,poss:1,sg
- לכה: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- איעצך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לעמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def,poss:2,m,sg
- באחרית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Gen.49.1 (verbal): Jacob uses the same formula — 'that which shall befall you in the last days/days to come' — a prophetic introduction to future destinies, paralleling Balaam's 'in the latter days.'
- Num.24.17 (structural): Continuation of Balaam's oracle in the same chapter: a prophetic sight of Israel's future ('I see him, but not now') that develops the 'latter days' prediction addressed in v.14.
- Isa.2.2 (thematic): Uses the phrase 'in the latter days' to introduce a prophetic vision of future order and restoration for Israel — thematically similar language about end‑time outcomes.
- Ezek.38.8 (thematic): Speaks of nations acting 'in the latter years' against Israel; parallels Balaam's focus on what nations will do to Israel in future/latter times.
- Acts 2.17 (quotation): Peter quotes Joel's 'in the last days' formula to describe prophetic fulfillment; illustrates how 'latter days' language is used to announce future divine action, echoing Balaam's phrase.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now behold, I am going to my people; come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days."
- 'Now then I am going to my people; come, I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.'
And Balak said to Balaam, "Come now, let me take you to another place; perhaps it will be pleasing in God's sight, and you will curse them for me from there." So Balak took Balaam to the summit of Peor, which looks out over the plain.
Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams."
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he no longer went, as at other times, to seek omens; instead he set his face toward the wilderness.
Balaam lifted his eyes and saw Israel dwelling in their tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him.
He took up his oracle and said, "The utterance of Balaam son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes are open:
the utterance of one who hears the words of God, who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty—he falls, yet his eyes are open.
How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
Like valleys he spreads them out, like gardens beside the river, like lodgings planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
May water flow from his jars, and his seed be multiplied in many waters; his king shall be greater than Agag, and his kingdom exalted.
God brought him forth from Egypt; he has the strength of a wild ox—he will devour the nations, his foes; he will break their bones and pierce them with his arrows.
He crouches, he lies down like a lion; who will rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you; cursed are those who curse you."
Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times!"
"Now go away to your place," he said; "I said I would honor you, and behold, the LORD has kept you from honor."
Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not also speak to the messengers whom you sent to me?
Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the word of the LORD, doing either good or bad of my own will; from my heart, whatever the LORD speaks, that I will speak." And now I am going to my people. Come, I will tell you what this people will do for your people in the days to come."