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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 23:2 So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/23-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/04_Num_23_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 23:2 - Balaam's First Oracle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/23-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/23-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/23-1.htm" title="Numbers 23:1">◄</a> Numbers 23:2 <a href="/numbers/23-3.htm" title="Numbers 23:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Balak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Balak followed his instructions, and the two of them sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Balak did as Balaam had said. And Balak and Balaam offered on each altar a bull and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on <i>every</i> altar a bullock and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on <i>each</i> altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on <i>each</i> altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Balak did just as Balaam had said, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Balak did as Balaam directed, and they offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Balak did as Balaam directed, and they offered a bull and a ram on each altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After Balak had done this, they sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Balak did what Balaam told him, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Balak did as he was told, and he and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Balak did just as Balaam instructed. Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each altar a bull and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balak does as Balaam has spoken, and Balak—Balaam also—offers a bullock and a ram on the altar,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Balak doth as Balaam hath spoken, and Balak -- Balaam also -- offereth a bullock and a ram on the altar,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Balak will do as Balsam spake, and Balak will bring up, and Balaam, a bullock and a ram upon the altar.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he had done according to the word of Balaam, they laid together a calf and a ram upon every altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he had acted according to the words of Balaam, they placed a calf and a ram together on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So Balak did as Balaam had ordered, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Balak did as Balaam had said; and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Balak did as Balaam had told him; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Balaq did as Balaam said to him and Balaam and Balaq offered up bulls and rams on the altar.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Balac did as Balaam told him; and he offered up a calf and a ram on <i>every</i> altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/23-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=7231" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/23.htm">Balaam's First Oracle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1111.htm" title="1111: bā·lāq (N-proper-ms) -- Devastator, a Moabite king. From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king.">So Balak</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">did</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: bil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">had instructed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1111.htm" title="1111: bā·lāq (N-proper-ms) -- Devastator, a Moabite king. From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king.">and Balak</a> <a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: ū·ḇil·‘ām (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">and Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">offered</a> <a href="/hebrew/6499.htm" title="6499: pār (N-ms) -- Young bull, steer. Or par; from parar; a bullock.">a bull</a> <a href="/hebrew/352.htm" title="352: wā·’a·yil (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- From the same as 'uwl; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief; also a ram; a pilaster; an oak or other strong tree.">and a ram</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: bam·miz·bê·aḥ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">on each altar.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-41.htm">Numbers 22:41</a></span><br />The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-29.htm">1 Kings 18:29-39</a></span><br />Midday passed, and they kept on raving until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response; no one answered, no one paid attention. / Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. / And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11</a></span><br />“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a></span><br />With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Jeremiah 7:21-23</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! / For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a></span><br />“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a></span><br />But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a></span><br />If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-4.htm">Hebrews 10:4-10</a></span><br />because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. / Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. / In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a></span><br />and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.</p><p class="hdg">offered</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Numbers 23:14,30</a></b></br> And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on <i>every</i> altar… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/18-17.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/22-41.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Bull</a> <a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Bullock</a> <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/22-40.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/numbers/15-4.htm">Offereth</a> <a href="/numbers/19-17.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/15-11.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Sheep</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Bull</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Bullock</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Offereth</a> <a href="/numbers/23-3.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Sheep</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Balak's sacrifices</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Balak did as Balaam had instructed</b><br>Balak, the king of Moab, follows the instructions of Balaam, a prophet known for his ability to bless and curse. This obedience highlights Balak's desperation to curse the Israelites, who were encamped on the plains of Moab. The narrative underscores the tension between divine will and human attempts to manipulate it. Balak's compliance also reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking divine favor through intermediaries like Balaam.<p><b>and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar</b><br>The offering of a bull and a ram on each altar is significant in the context of ancient sacrificial practices. Bulls and rams were considered valuable sacrifices, often associated with atonement and seeking favor from deities. This act of sacrifice is intended to invoke a divine response, aligning with the cultural understanding of appeasing gods through offerings. The use of multiple altars suggests an attempt to ensure the effectiveness of the ritual, emphasizing the seriousness of Balak's request. This scene also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament sacrificial system, offering Himself as the perfect atonement for sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet or diviner hired by Balak to curse the Israelites, known for his interactions with God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>The region ruled by Balak, located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/altars.htm">Altars</a></b><br>Structures built for the purpose of offering sacrifices, in this case, seven altars were constructed.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sacrifices.htm">Sacrifices</a></b><br>The offering of a bull and a ram on each altar, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religious rituals.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_human_plans.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans</a></b><br>Despite Balak's intentions, God’s will prevails. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over our lives and circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_opposing_god's_people.htm">The Futility of Opposing God's People</a></b><br>Balak's efforts to curse Israel are in vain, illustrating the futility of opposing God's chosen people. We should be encouraged that God protects His own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience_to_god.htm">The Importance of Obedience to God</a></b><br>Balaam's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience and greed. We must prioritize obedience to God over personal gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_sacrifices_in_worship.htm">The Role of Sacrifices in Worship</a></b><br>The sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam highlight the ancient practice of seeking divine favor. In the New Covenant, we are reminded that Christ is our ultimate sacrifice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>The account underscores God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel, encouraging us to rely on His promises in our own lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_doctrine_of_balaam.htm">What is the Doctrine of Balaam?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_balaam's_seven_altars.htm">Numbers 23:1-2: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting Balaam's elaborate sacrifices on seven altars with seven bulls and seven rams?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_micah_6_5_align_with_other_balaam_accounts.htm">How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_balaam's_differing_portrayals.htm">How should we address the seeming discrepancy between Balaam's portrayal here in Numbers 24 and other biblical texts that condemn him (e.g., 2 Peter 2:15)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">And Balak and Balaam offered.--</span>It is more probable that Balak, as a king, performed priestly functions than that Balaam performed them alone. (See Note on <a href="/numbers/22-40.htm" title="And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.">Numbers 22:40</a>.)<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/23-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Balak</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּלָ֔ק</span> <span class="translit">(bā·lāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1111.htm">Strong's 1111: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֣עַשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had directed,</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבֶּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(dib·ber)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Balak</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּלָ֧ק</span> <span class="translit">(bā·lāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1111.htm">Strong's 1111: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבִלְעָ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">offered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֨עַל</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a bull</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(pār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6499.htm">Strong's 6499: </a> </span><span class="str2">Young bull, steer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a ram</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאַ֖יִל</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’a·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_352.htm">Strong's 352: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on each altar.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miz·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/23-2.htm">Numbers 23:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 23:2 Balak did as Balaam had spoken (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/23-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 23:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/23-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 23:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>