Numbers 22:11
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
Original Language Analysis
הָעָם֙
Behold there is a people
H5971
הָעָם֙
Behold there is a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַיֹּצֵ֣א
come out
H3318
הַיֹּצֵ֣א
come out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וַיְכַ֖ס
which covereth
H3680
וַיְכַ֖ס
which covereth
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵ֣ין
the face
H5869
עֵ֣ין
the face
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עַתָּ֗ה
H6258
לְכָ֤ה
H1980
לְכָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
קָֽבָה
now curse
H6895
קָֽבָה
now curse
Strong's:
H6895
Word #:
11 of 18
to scoop out, i.e., (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e., stab with words)
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אוּכַ֛ל
me them peradventure I shall be able
H3201
אוּכַ֛ל
me them peradventure I shall be able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
15 of 18
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
Historical Context
God's blessing on Israel traced back to Abraham: 'I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee' (Genesis 12:3). Balak's attempt to curse Israel brought him under this covenant curse. God's protection of Israel was not merely military but spiritual—He would not permit spiritual weapons to succeed where physical weapons had failed. This established that Israel's enemies faced not just human opposition but God Himself.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's blessing on His people provide immunity from spiritual attack?
- What does it mean that whom God blesses cannot be effectively cursed?
- How should believers understand spiritual protection in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's command 'Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed' establishes clear divine prohibition. The Hebrew doubled negatives (lo telekh...lo ta'or—not go...not curse) emphasize absolute prohibition. The reason—'for they are blessed' (barukh hu)—reveals that Israel's blessed status makes them immune to cursing. This demonstrates the doctrine of eternal security from a corporate perspective: whom God blesses cannot be cursed (Romans 8:31-39). Balaam's later attempts to find loopholes reveal persistent rebellion against clear divine command.