Numbers 23:3
And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
Original Language Analysis
הִתְיַצֵּב֮
Stand
H3320
הִתְיַצֵּב֮
Stand
Strong's:
H3320
Word #:
4 of 18
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֹֽלָתֶךָ֒
by thy burnt offering
H5930
עֹֽלָתֶךָ֒
by thy burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
6 of 18
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֵֽלְכָ֗ה
H1980
וְאֵֽלְכָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
יִקָּרֵ֤ה
will come
H7136
יִקָּרֵ֤ה
will come
Strong's:
H7136
Word #:
9 of 18
to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
יְהוָה֙
peradventure the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
peradventure the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִקְרָאתִ֔י
to meet
H7125
לִקְרָאתִ֔י
to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
11 of 18
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
וּדְבַ֥ר
me and whatsoever
H1697
וּדְבַ֥ר
me and whatsoever
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יַּרְאֵ֖נִי
he sheweth
H7200
יַּרְאֵ֖נִי
he sheweth
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְהִגַּ֣דְתִּי
me I will tell
H5046
וְהִגַּ֣דְתִּי
me I will tell
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
Historical Context
Balaam's phrase 'the LORD will come to meet me' (yiqareh YHWH liqrati) uses language of divine encounter. Moses regularly experienced such encounters at the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11). Balaam's hope that God might meet him shows he understood Yahweh's personal nature, unlike impersonal pagan deities. However, his uncertainty revealed he had no covenant relationship guaranteeing divine communion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does covenant relationship with God provide assurance of His presence versus uncertain hope?
- What distinguishes authentic prophetic calling from freelance spiritual practitioners?
- How do believers know God's voice versus mere hope that He might speak?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam's instruction 'Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me' reveals his uncertainty about receiving divine revelation. The Hebrew ulay (peradventure/perhaps) shows he could not command God's presence. This contrasts sharply with Mosaic prophecy where God spoke regularly and reliably to His appointed prophet. Balaam's tentative approach exposed him as an outsider to covenant relationship. He could not presume on divine communication but must wait to see if God would condescend to speak. True prophets know God's voice; Balaam hoped for it.