Numbers 22:37
And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹא֩
H3808
הֲלֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי
Did I not earnestly
H7971
שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי
Did I not earnestly
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי
Did I not earnestly
H7971
שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי
Did I not earnestly
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לִקְרֹא
unto thee to call
H7121
לִקְרֹא
unto thee to call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 18
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לָ֥מָּה
H4100
לָ֥מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָלַ֖כְתָּ
thee wherefore camest
H1980
הָלַ֖כְתָּ
thee wherefore camest
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This exchange reflects ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocol where delayed responses to royal summons were insults to honor. Balak, king of Moab (circa 1406 BC), couldn't comprehend that a prophet might refuse royal favor. The offer of "honor" (riches, position) was standard payment for prophetic/divinatory services in that culture.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Balak's focus on his own honor and ability blind him to God's sovereignty over blessing and cursing?
- When have you been offended that someone didn't immediately respond to your "generous" offer, not seeing God's restraining hand?
- What does Balaam's situation teach about the impossibility of profiting from opposing God's declared purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? (הֲלֹא שָׁלֹחַ שָׁלַחְתִּי, halo shaloch shalachti)—The Hebrew uses emphatic repetition (infinitive absolute) meaning "Did I not urgently, repeatedly send?" Balak's wounded pride surfaces: he sent messengers three times, offered great rewards (22:17), and Balaam still delayed. His complaint wherefore camest thou not unto me? betrays ignorance of the divine restraint that prevented Balaam's earlier departure.
Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? (הַאֻמְנָם לֹא־אוּכַל כַּבְּדֶךָ, ha'umnam lo-uchal kabed'kha)—Balak's final appeal uses kabad, to make heavy/weighty with honor and wealth. The tragic irony: Balak offers to "honor" Balaam for cursing those whom God has blessed (23:20), not realizing that cursing God's people brings destruction, not honor. Balaam soon learns he can only speak what the LORD puts in his mouth (23:12).