🔢WEB · Numbers 23:25
What does Numbers 23:25 mean?
"Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”"
— Numbers 23:25 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
God brings them out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.
Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘What has God done!’
Behold, the people rises up as a lioness. As a lion he lifts himself up. He shall not lie down until he eats of the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.”
Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”
But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘All that Yahweh speaks, that I must do?’”
Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.”
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
Explanation
This verse captures a moment of frustration. Balak, the king of Moab, had hired the prophet-diviner Balaam specifically to curse the people of Israel, whom he feared as they camped near his borders on their way to the Promised Land. Instead, when Balaam opened his mouth, blessings for Israel came out—not once but twice. After the second failed attempt, Balak throws up his hands and essentially says, "Fine, if you won't curse them, then just don't say anything at all. Don't bless them either." It's the voice of a man watching his plan completely backfire.
The context is found in Numbers 22–24, a narrative set during Israel's journey through the wilderness toward Canaan. Balak, alarmed by Israel's military successes against other nations, sends for Balaam, a seer from Mesopotamia known for his spiritual power, hoping he can curse Israel and weaken them before they arrive. Balaam agrees to go, but God
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