qa.vav denotes calling down a curse, especially against a person or opposing people.

The attested use concerns calling for or uttering a curse against a target: requests to curse a people or enemies dominate the Numbers passages, while Job 5:3 applies the action to a fool's pasture. In Numbers 23:8, the action is posed as impossible in the stated circumstance because God has not cursed the person in view.

1. Calling a curse against a target · dominant

   In Numbers 22:11 and Numbers 22:17, Qal imperatives occur in requests that Balaam curse the people who came from Egypt. Numbers 23:11, Numbers 23:13, and Numbers 24:10 place the action in Balak's complaint or renewed request concerning his enemies, while Numbers 23:8 frames it as a question in contrast with God not having cursed the person in view. Job 5:3 uses a Qal sequential imperfect in the statement that the speaker cursed a fool's pasture.

   Numbers 22:11Numbers 22:17Numbers 23:8Numbers 23:11Numbers 23:13Numbers 24:10

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB generally presents the relevant clauses with "curse," including requests, complaints, and the question in Numbers 23:8. Its wording only confirms the clause-level presentation of the term.