Numbers 23:17
And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֣א
And when he came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֣א
And when he came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
נִצָּב֙
to him behold he stood
H5324
נִצָּב֙
to him behold he stood
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
4 of 15
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֹ֣לָת֔וֹ
by his burnt offering
H5930
עֹ֣לָת֔וֹ
by his burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
6 of 15
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
מוֹאָ֖ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֖ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
8 of 15
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
אִתּ֑וֹ
H854
אִתּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Historical Context
This occurred around 1405 BC as Israel camped in Moab's plains before entering Canaan. Balak, Moab's king, hired Balaam to curse Israel, fearing their military strength. Ancient Near Eastern kings regularly employed diviners before battle, viewing sacrifices as binding divine powers to human will.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do we treat worship as transactional—offering 'burnt offerings' to manipulate God's favor?
- How does Balaam's question 'What hath the LORD spoken?' model the proper response to ritual—submission to God's word rather than ritual manipulation?
- What does God's refusal to be manipulated by Balak's seven altars teach about the nature of prayer and sacrifice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He stood by his burnt offering (עֹלָה, olah)—Balak's posture reveals his attempt to manipulate divine favor through ritual. The olah (burnt offering, from 'to ascend') was wholly consumed, symbolizing complete dedication to God. Yet Balaam's question What hath the LORD spoken? underscores the futility: God cannot be bought. The presence of the princes of Moab as witnesses heightens the drama—will Balaam curse Israel despite God's command?
This scene contrasts pagan transactional worship with biblical revelation. Balak assumes sacrifices compel divine compliance, but Numbers repeatedly shows God's sovereignty over pagan divination (23:8, 20, 23). The burnt offering cannot override God's blessing on Israel (Genesis 12:3).