CINXE.COM

<!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 23:4 and God met with him. "I have set up seven altars," Balaam said, "and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/23-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/04_Num_23_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 23:4 - Balaam's First Oracle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and God met with him. I have set up seven altars, Balaam said, and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram." /><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/23-4.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/23-4.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 4</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="/ad4.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/23-3.htm" title="Numbers 23:3">◄</a> Numbers 23:4 <a href="/numbers/23-5.htm" title="Numbers 23:5">►</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 />God met with him, and Balaam said, &#8220I have prepared seven altars, and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />and God met him there. Balaam said to him, “I have prepared seven altars and have 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 />and God met Balaam. And Balaam said to him, “I have arranged the seven altars and I have 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 />and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon <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 God met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered on <i>each</i> altar a bull and a ram.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now God met with Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have 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 />Now God met Balaam, and he said to Him, &#8220I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now God met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have 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 />Now God met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have 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 />Now God met Balaam, who said to Him, “I have prepared seven altars, and I have 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 />God met with him and Balaam said to him, “I have arranged seven altars and 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 />God met with him and Balaam said to Him, &#8220I have arranged seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When God appeared to him, Balaam said, "I have built seven altars and have sacrificed a bull and a ram on each one." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />God came to him, and Balaam said, "I have set up seven altars, and I 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 />and God met him. Balaam said to him, "I have built the seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />where the LORD met with Balaam, who told him, "I've prepared seven altars and offered bulls and rams on an altar."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and God met with him. ?I have set up seven altars,? Balaam said, ?and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then God met Balaam, who said to him, "I have prepared seven altars, and I have 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 />And God met Balaam, and he said to him, "I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And God met Balaam: and he said to him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon 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 />God met Balaam, and he said to him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And God comes to Balaam, and he says to Him, “I have arranged the seven altars, and I offer 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 God cometh unto Balaam, and he saith unto Him, 'The seven altars I have arranged, and I offer 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 God will meet Balaam, and he will say to him, I arranged seven altars, and I will bring up 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 was gone with speed, God met him. And Balaam speaking to him, said: I have erected seven altars, and have laid on everyone a calf and a ram. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And after he had quickly departed, God met with him. And Balaam, speaking to him, said: “I have set up seven altars, and I have placed a calf and a ram on each.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then God met Balaam, and Balak said to him: “I have erected the seven altars, and have 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 />Then God met Balaam; and Balaam said to him, “I have arranged the seven altars, and have 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 God appeared to Balaam and said to him, You have prepared seven altars, and have offered upon 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 God was revealed to Balaam and said to him: “Seven altars you have prepared and you 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 God met Balaam; and he said unto Him: 'I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam went to enquire of God; and he went straight forward, and God appeared to Balaam; and Balaam said to him, I have prepared the seven altars, and have offered a calf and a ram on <i>every</i> altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/23-4.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=7253" 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">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, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">and God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7136.htm" title="7136: way·yiq·qār (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to light upon; causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers.">met</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">with</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.">him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6186.htm" title="6186: ‘ā·raḵ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To set in a, row, arrange, put in order. A primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. Arrange, put in order.">“I have set up</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šiḇ·‘aṯ (Number-msc) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">altars,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Balaam said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: bam·miz·bê·aḥ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">“and on each altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: wā·’a·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">I have 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> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”…<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="/genesis/22-11.htm">Genesis 22:11-12</a></span><br />Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. / “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a></span><br />When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">1 Kings 18:36-37</a></span><br />At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/3-10.htm">1 Samuel 3:10</a></span><br />Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a></span><br />Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-4.htm">Jeremiah 1:4-5</a></span><br />The word of the LORD came to me, saying: / “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-3.htm">Ezekiel 1:3</a></span><br />the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a></span><br />Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/99-6.htm">Psalm 99:6</a></span><br />Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18-19</a></span><br />I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-5.htm">Matthew 17:5</a></span><br />While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-35.htm">Luke 9:35</a></span><br />And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-28.htm">John 12:28-30</a></span><br />Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” / The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. / In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4-6</a></span><br />He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. / “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-13.htm">Acts 10:13-15</a></span><br />Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And God met Balaam: and he said to him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-16.htm">Numbers 23:16</a></b></br> And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9,20</a></b></br> And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men <i>are</i> these with thee? … </p><p class="hdg">I have prepared</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Numbers 23:1</a></b></br> And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3,4</a></b></br> Wherefore have we fasted, <i>say they</i>, and thou seest not? <i>wherefore</i> have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Matthew 20:12</a></b></br> Saying, These last have wrought <i>but</i> one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-12.htm">Arranged</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Bull</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Bullock</a> <a href="/exodus/12-36.htm">Disposed</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/16-11.htm">Met</a> <a href="/numbers/18-29.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/numbers/23-3.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/21-27.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/numbers/23-2.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Seven</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/joshua/2-6.htm">Arranged</a> <a href="/numbers/23-5.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Bull</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Bullock</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-11.htm">Disposed</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/23-16.htm">Met</a> <a href="/numbers/28-2.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/numbers/23-6.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/numbers/28-15.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/numbers/23-29.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/numbers/23-14.htm">Seven</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>and God met with him.</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine encounter, emphasizing God's sovereignty and willingness to engage with individuals outside of Israel, such as Balaam. In the broader biblical narrative, God often meets with His chosen servants, such as Moses on Mount Sinai (<a href="/exodus/19-20.htm">Exodus 19:20</a>). This meeting underscores God's control over the situation, despite Balaam's pagan background. It also highlights the theme of God's omnipresence and His ability to use anyone to fulfill His purposes, as seen in other instances like Cyrus in <a href="/isaiah/45.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a>.<p><b>“I have set up seven altars,”</b><br>The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, as seen in the creation week (Genesis 1-2). Balaam's use of seven altars may reflect an attempt to fully appease or impress God, aligning with ancient Near Eastern practices where specific numbers held ritual significance. This act of setting up altars is reminiscent of patriarchal practices, such as Abraham building altars to the Lord (<a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a>). However, Balaam's altars are not for Yahweh alone, indicating a syncretistic approach to worship.<p><b>Balaam said,</b><br>Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure who acknowledges the true God yet is entangled in pagan practices. His story is a reminder of the tension between true prophecy and divination, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a>, where divination is condemned. Balaam's role in the narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising with pagan practices while acknowledging the true God.<p><b>“and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”</b><br>The offering of a bull and a ram on each altar reflects common sacrificial practices in the ancient Near East, where such offerings were made to seek favor or guidance from deities. In the Israelite context, bulls and rams were significant in sacrificial rituals, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/1-3.htm">Leviticus 1:3-9</a>. These offerings symbolize atonement and dedication, yet Balaam's sacrifices are not made in the context of the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This highlights the contrast between true worship and ritualistic attempts to manipulate divine favor.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign deity of Israel, who communicates with Balaam in this passage.<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 Israel, yet God uses him to bless Israel instead.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam's help to curse them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/seven_altars.htm">Seven Altars</a></b><br>The altars prepared by Balaam as part of a ritualistic attempt to gain favor with God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/bulls_and_rams.htm">Bulls and Rams</a></b><br>Sacrificial animals offered by Balaam on the altars, symbolizing an attempt to appease or communicate with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite human intentions, God's will prevails. Balaam's attempt to curse Israel is overridden by God's plan to bless them. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_ritual_without_relationship.htm">The Futility of Ritual without Relationship</a></b><br>Balaam's sacrifices, though numerous, do not manipulate God. This underscores the importance of a genuine relationship with God over mere ritualistic practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_use_of_unlikely_instruments.htm">God's Use of Unlikely Instruments</a></b><br>God can use anyone, even a pagan prophet like Balaam, to accomplish His purposes. This encourages us to remain open to God's work through unexpected people and situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Balaam's account reminds us that obedience to God is crucial. Even when pressured by Balak, Balaam ultimately speaks only what God commands, illustrating the importance of aligning our actions with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_blessing.htm">The Power of Blessing</a></b><br>The account highlights the power of blessing over cursing. As believers, we are called to bless others, reflecting God's love and grace in our interactions.<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_are_biblical_garments_of_skin.htm">What is unknowingly worshiping according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_male_in_numbers_23_19.htm">Is God a man according to Numbers 23:19?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_numbers_23_favorable_to_israel.htm">Numbers 23: Why does this chapter imply a favorable view of Israel among foreign nations while other Old Testament accounts describe hostility and conflict?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_was_god_angry_with_balaam_later.htm">If God permitted Balaam to go (Numbers 22:20), why did He become angry with him later (Numbers 22:22)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I</span> <span class="cmt_word">have prepared seven altars.</span> Balaam, acting for the king of Moab, his heathen patron, in this difficult business, points out to God that he had given him the full quota of sacrifices to begin with. It was implied in this reminder that God would naturally feel disposed to do something for Balaam in return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/23-4.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">and God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">met</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקָּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7136.htm">Strong's 7136: </a> </span><span class="str2">To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him.</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">“I have set up</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרַ֔כְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·raḵ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6186.htm">Strong's 6186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set in a, row, arrange, put in order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעַ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">altars,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמִּזְבְּחֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Balaam said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and 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 /><br /><span class="word">I have offered</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאַ֛עַל</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’a·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/23-4.htm">Numbers 23:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/23-4.htm">OT Law: Numbers 23:4 God met Balaam: and he said (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 23:5" /></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>