Numbers 23:11
And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
Original Language Analysis
מֶ֥ה
H4100
מֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
עָשִׂ֖יתָ
What hast thou done
H6213
עָשִׂ֖יתָ
What hast thou done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לָקֹ֤ב
thee to curse
H6895
לָקֹ֤ב
thee to curse
Strong's:
H6895
Word #:
8 of 13
to scoop out, i.e., (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e., stab with words)
לְקַחְתִּ֔יךָ
unto me I took
H3947
לְקַחְתִּ֔יךָ
unto me I took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 13
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Cross References
Nehemiah 13:2Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.Numbers 24:10And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.Numbers 22:11Behold, 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.Numbers 22:17For 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.
Historical Context
Balak hired Balaam specifically to curse Israel (22:6), believing spoken curses had power to weaken enemies. Ancient Near Eastern cultures highly valued blessing and cursing formulas, viewing them as spiritually binding pronouncements with real-world effects.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage assure you that no curse or accusation can override God's blessing on you in Christ?
- What contemporary attempts to curse God's people (through slander, false teaching, persecution) are ultimately futile?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balak protests to Balaam 'What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.' This reveals the futility of attempting to curse whom God has blessed. Balak's frustration demonstrates that no amount of money or influence can override God's sovereign choice to bless His covenant people. Human scheming cannot thwart divine purposes.