Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣רְא
saw
H7200
וַיַּ֣רְא
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 19
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֞וֹב
H2895
ט֞וֹב
Strong's:
H2895
Word #:
4 of 19
to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense
בְּעֵינֵ֤י
that it pleased
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֤י
that it pleased
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְבָרֵ֣ךְ
to bless
H1288
לְבָרֵ֣ךְ
to bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
7 of 19
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָלַ֥ךְ
he went
H1980
הָלַ֥ךְ
he went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּפַ֖עַם
not as at other times
H6471
בְּפַ֖עַם
not as at other times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
12 of 19
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
בְּפַ֖עַם
not as at other times
H6471
בְּפַ֖עַם
not as at other times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
13 of 19
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
לִקְרַ֣את
to seek
H7125
לִקְרַ֣את
to seek
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
14 of 19
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
Cross References
Numbers 23:3And 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.Numbers 23:23Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.Numbers 22:13And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.Numbers 23:15And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.Numbers 23:20Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.Numbers 23:28And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.Numbers 31:16Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.1 Samuel 26:2Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.1 Samuel 24:20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
Historical Context
The phrase 'seek for enchantments' reveals Balaam's prior practice of using divination techniques to discern divine will. His abandoning these methods acknowledged God's clear intent to bless Israel regardless of magical manipulation attempts.
Questions for Reflection
- What manipulative religious practices must you abandon to simply accept God's revealed will?
- How can external compliance with God's word mask continued internal resistance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When Balaam 'saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments.' After two failed attempts to curse Israel, Balaam abandoned divination and simply 'set his face toward the wilderness.' This shift suggests partial submission to God's will, yet his later treachery (31:16) proved his heart remained divided between God's word and personal gain.