Numbers 24:25
And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֣קָם
rose up
H6965
וַיָּ֣קָם
rose up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 9
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
הָלַ֥ךְ
also went
H1980
הָלַ֥ךְ
also went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 9
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
and returned
H7725
וַיָּ֣שָׁב
and returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 9
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לִמְקֹמ֑וֹ
to his place
H4725
לִמְקֹמ֑וֹ
to his place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
5 of 9
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)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Historical Context
Balaam returned to Pethor (Mesopotamia, 22:5) after failing to curse Israel. However, he soon reappeared in Midianite territory (modern Jordan), where he counseled the Baal-peor seduction scheme (Numbers 31:16). He died in Israel's judgment on Midian (Numbers 31:8), earning infamy as paradigm of prophetic corruption.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Balaam's 'return to his place' after supernatural encounters warn against hearing God's word without transformation?
- What does Balaam's later advice causing Israel's Peor sin teach about the danger of prophetic gifting divorced from moral character?
- How can believers ensure that encounters with God produce heart change rather than merely temporary religious experience before 'returning to your place'?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way—Balaam's departure (קָם... וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיָּשָׁב qam... vayelekh vayashav, 'rose... went... returned') marks the oracle sequence's conclusion. The parallel structure—Balaam returned to his place, Balak went his way—emphasizes anticlimactic separation after the dramatic prophecies. Despite supernatural encounters and profound oracles, both men returned to their former paths.
Tragically, Numbers 31:8,16 and Revelation 2:14 reveal Balaam later advised Midianites to seduce Israel through intermarriage and Baal-worship, causing the Peor plague (Numbers 25). Though unable to curse Israel directly, Balaam found indirect means to profit from Israel's destruction. Peter warns against 'the error of Balaam' (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11)—using spiritual gifts for personal gain while compromising moral integrity.