Numbers 23:7

Authorized King James Version

And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א
And he took up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
מְשָׁל֖וֹ
his parable
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
#3
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#5
אֲ֠רָם
me from Aram
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#6
יַנְחֵ֨נִי
hath brought
to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
#7
בָלָ֤ק
Balak
balak, a moabitish king
#8
מֶֽלֶךְ
the king
a king
#9
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#10
מֵֽהַרְרֵי
out of the mountains
a mountain
#11
קֶ֔דֶם
of the east
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
#12
לְכָה֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#13
אָֽרָה
curse
to execrate
#14
לִּ֣י
H0
#15
יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב
me Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#16
וּלְכָ֖ה
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
זֹֽעֲמָ֥ה
defy
properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged
#18
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Numbers.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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