Numbers 22:17
For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙
For I will promote
H3513
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙
For I will promote
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
2 of 16
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙
For I will promote
H3513
אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙
For I will promote
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
3 of 16
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
מְאֹ֔ד
thee unto very
H3966
מְאֹ֔ד
thee unto very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וְכֹ֛ל
H3605
וְכֹ֛ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֑ה
and I will do
H6213
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֑ה
and I will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וּלְכָה
H1980
וּלְכָה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נָּא֙
H4994
נָּא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
11 of 16
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
קָֽבָה
therefore I pray thee curse
H6895
קָֽבָה
therefore I pray thee curse
Strong's:
H6895
Word #:
12 of 16
to scoop out, i.e., (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e., stab with words)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Royal patronage in the ancient world brought enormous wealth and influence. Court prophets enjoyed prestige, land grants, and protection. Balak essentially offered Balaam a blank check and cabinet-level authority—staggering compensation for a single curse.
Questions for Reflection
- When worldly honor and unlimited resources are offered for compromising God's purposes, what does your response reveal about where you find your identity?
- How is every temptation fundamentally an offer to curse what God has blessed in exchange for temporal honor?
- What would Balak's "very great honour" cost you in eternal terms, and is any earthly promotion worth fighting against God's chosen people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I will promote thee unto very great honour (כַּבֵּד אְכַבֶּדְךָ, kabbēd 'akabbedkā)—The intensive Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute + verb) emphasizes extreme honor: "I will greatly, greatly honor you." Balak offered wealth, status, and blank-check authority: I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me. This is comprehensive temptation—financial security, social prestige, political power.
Yet the price was curse me this people (קָבָה, qābâ)—invoking supernatural harm on Yahweh's chosen nation. Balak's offer epitomizes Satan's strategy: kingdoms of the world in exchange for betraying God's purposes (cf. Matthew 4:8-9). Balaam knew Israel was blessed (23:8); accepting would mean fighting God for earthly treasure.