Numbers 23:13

Authorized King James Version

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And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלָ֜יו H413
אֵלָ֜יו
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 21
near, with or among; often in general, to
בָּלָ֗ק And Balak H1111
בָּלָ֗ק And Balak
Strong's: H1111
Word #: 3 of 21
balak, a moabitish king
לְךָ H1980
לְךָ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 4 of 21
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נָּ֨א H4994
נָּ֨א
Strong's: H4994
Word #: 5 of 21
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אִתִּ֜י H854
אִתִּ֜י
Strong's: H854
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 21
near, with or among; often in general, to
מָק֤וֹם place H4725
מָק֤וֹם place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 8 of 21
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אַחֵר֙ I pray thee with me unto another H312
אַחֵר֙ I pray thee with me unto another
Strong's: H312
Word #: 9 of 21
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִרְאֶ֑ה from whence thou mayest see H7200
תִרְאֶ֑ה from whence thou mayest see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 11 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מִשָּׁ֔ם H8033
מִשָּׁ֔ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 12 of 21
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
אֶ֚פֶס but H657
אֶ֚פֶס but
Strong's: H657
Word #: 13 of 21
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
קָצֵ֣הוּ the utmost H7097
קָצֵ֣הוּ the utmost
Strong's: H7097
Word #: 14 of 21
an extremity
תִרְאֶ֑ה from whence thou mayest see H7200
תִרְאֶ֑ה from whence thou mayest see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 15 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְכֻלּ֖וֹ H3605
וְכֻלּ֖וֹ
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 17 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִרְאֶ֑ה from whence thou mayest see H7200
תִרְאֶ֑ה from whence thou mayest see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 18 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְקָבְנוֹ them all and curse H6895
וְקָבְנוֹ them all and curse
Strong's: H6895
Word #: 19 of 21
to scoop out, i.e., (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e., stab with words)
לִ֖י H0
לִ֖י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 20 of 21
מִשָּֽׁם׃ H8033
מִשָּֽׁם׃
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 21 of 21
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis & Commentary

Balak's plea 'Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them' reveals his assumption that changing location might change the oracle's content. This exposes pagan magical thinking: manipulate circumstances to alter spiritual realities. Balak believed geography, viewpoint, or technique could force the desired outcome. This fundamentally misunderstands God's sovereignty—His will does not depend on location or perspective. The prophet's message comes from divine character and purpose, not situational factors. God 'cannot lie' (Titus 1:2) regardless of circumstances.

Historical Context

The multiple locations for Balaam's oracles—Bamoth-baal (22:41), Pisgah (23:14), and Peor (23:28)—show Balak's persistent attempts to find the 'right' place for cursing. This mirrors pagan high place worship where different locations supposedly accessed different divine powers. Balak did not understand that Yahweh's presence was not localized but universal, His will unchangeable by geographical manipulation.

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