Numbers 23:6
And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
And he returned
H7725
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
And he returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 10
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נִצָּ֖ב
unto him and lo he stood
H5324
נִצָּ֖ב
unto him and lo he stood
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
4 of 10
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֹֽלָת֑וֹ
by his burnt sacrifice
H5930
עֹֽלָת֑וֹ
by his burnt sacrifice
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
6 of 10
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
ה֖וּא
H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
The princes of Moab (Hebrew sarei Moav) represented the nation's power structure. Their presence made this a state ceremony, not merely private divination. The public nature of Balaam's oracles meant Balak could not suppress them. When Balaam blessed instead of cursed, all Moab's leadership witnessed God's sovereignty. This public testimony to God's protection of Israel spread throughout the region.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's reversal of confident human plans demonstrate His sovereignty?
- What purpose do public demonstrations of God's power serve?
- How should we respond when elaborate schemes against us fail because of God's intervention?
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam returning to Balak 'and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab' shows Balak's expectation of favorable results. The Hebrew hineh (lo/behold) emphasizes Balak's readiness to receive the curse. All Moab's leadership gathered expecting Balaam to spiritually destroy Israel. Their unified expectation would be dramatically disappointed. This illustrates how human plans confidently made can be utterly reversed by divine sovereignty. 'The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will' (Proverbs 21:1).