Numbers 23:27
And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
Original Language Analysis
לְכָה
H1980
לְכָה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נָּא֙
H4994
נָּא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
6 of 17
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶקָּ֣חֲךָ֔
I pray thee I will bring
H3947
אֶקָּ֣חֲךָ֔
I pray thee I will bring
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
7 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מָק֖וֹם
place
H4725
מָק֖וֹם
place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
9 of 17
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)
אַחֵ֑ר
thee unto another
H312
אַחֵ֑ר
thee unto another
Strong's:
H312
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
13 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Historical Context
This third cursing attempt moved from Bamot-baal (22:41) to Pisgah's field (23:14) to Peor's summit (23:28), demonstrating Balak's desperation. In pagan thought, different locations had varying spiritual 'power levels,' making prophetic outcomes venue-dependent. Balaam exploited this superstition, collecting fees for each failed attempt.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Balak's venue-hopping to manipulate God's will parallel modern attempts to find the 'right formula' for guaranteed blessings?
- What does Balak's phrase 'perhaps it will please God' reveal about pagan versus biblical understanding of divine sovereignty?
- How can you discern when persistence in prayer reflects faith versus attempts to manipulate God into reversing His clear will?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence—Balak's third attempt (אוּלַי יִישַׁר בְּעֵינֵי הָאֱלֹהִים ulay yishar be'einei ha'Elohim, 'perhaps it will be right in God's eyes') reveals pagan superstition that changing locations might alter divine will. After two failed curse attempts (23:7-10, 23:18-24), Balak persisted in seeking manipulable outcomes.
The phrase it will please God exposes fundamental misunderstanding of Yahweh's character—God's will doesn't fluctuate based on geography or repeated requests. Isaiah 14:27 declares 'The LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?' Balak's persistence exemplifies the pagan mindset that divine favor is negotiable through finding the right formula, contrasting with biblical submission to God's unchanging purposes.