New International VersionBalak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
New Living TranslationBalak followed his instructions, and the two of them sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each altar.
English Standard VersionBalak did as Balaam had said. And Balak and Balaam offered on each altar a bull and a ram.
Berean Standard BibleSo Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
King James BibleAnd Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
New King James VersionAnd Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
New American Standard BibleBalak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
NASB 1995Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
NASB 1977 And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
Legacy Standard Bible So Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
Amplified BibleBalak did just as Balaam had said, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Christian Standard BibleSo Balak did as Balaam directed, and they offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo Balak did as Balaam directed, and they offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
American Standard VersionAnd Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
Contemporary English VersionAfter Balak had done this, they sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.
English Revised VersionAnd Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBalak did what Balaam told him, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Good News TranslationBalak did as he was told, and he and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
International Standard VersionSo Balak did just as Balaam instructed. Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
NET BibleSo Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each altar a bull and a ram.
New Heart English BibleBalak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
World English BibleBalak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Balak does as Balaam has spoken, and Balak—Balaam also—offers a bullock and a ram on the altar,
Young's Literal Translation And Balak doth as Balaam hath spoken, and Balak -- Balaam also -- offereth a bullock and a ram on the altar,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Balak will do as Balsam spake, and Balak will bring up, and Balaam, a bullock and a ram upon the altar. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when he had done according to the word of Balaam, they laid together a calf and a ram upon every altar.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd when he had acted according to the words of Balaam, they placed a calf and a ram together on each altar.
New American BibleSo Balak did as Balaam had ordered, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
New Revised Standard VersionBalak did as Balaam had said; and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Balak did as Balaam had told him; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Balaq did as Balaam said to him and Balaam and Balaq offered up bulls and rams on the altar. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Balac did as Balaam told him; and he offered up a calf and a ram on every altar.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Balaam's First Oracle1Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” 2So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3“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,…
Cross References Numbers 22:41The 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.
Numbers 24:1And 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.
1 Kings 18:29-39Midday 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.” ...
1 Samuel 15:22But 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.
Isaiah 1:11“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.
Micah 6:6-8With 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?
Psalm 51:16-17For 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.
Hosea 6:6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Jeremiah 7:21-23This 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.
Amos 5:21-24“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. ...
Matthew 9:13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 12:7If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Hebrews 10:4-10because 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. ...
Mark 12:33and 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.”
Romans 12:1Therefore 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.
Numbers 23:14,30
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 every altar… Jump to Previous Altar Balaam Bull Bullock Male Offered Offereth Offering Ox Ram SheepJump to Next Altar Balaam Bull Bullock Male Offered Offereth Offering Ox Ram SheepNumbers 23 1. Balak's sacrificesSo Balak did as Balaam had instructedBalak, 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. and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar
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. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalakThe king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam. 2. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet or diviner hired by Balak to curse the Israelites, known for his interactions with God. 3. MoabThe region ruled by Balak, located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. 4. AltarsStructures built for the purpose of offering sacrifices, in this case, seven altars were constructed. 5. SacrificesThe offering of a bull and a ram on each altar, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religious rituals. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over Human PlansDespite Balak's intentions, God’s will prevails. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over our lives and circumstances. The Futility of Opposing God's PeopleBalak'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. The Importance of Obedience to GodBalaam's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience and greed. We must prioritize obedience to God over personal gain. The Role of Sacrifices in WorshipThe 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. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe account underscores God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel, encouraging us to rely on His promises in our own lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 23:2?
2. How does Numbers 23:2 demonstrate obedience to God's instructions in our lives?
3. What significance do the seven altars hold in Numbers 23:2 for worship today?
4. How can we ensure our sacrifices align with God's will, like in Numbers 23:2?
5. What parallels exist between Numbers 23:2 and other biblical sacrifices?
6. How can we apply the principle of preparation from Numbers 23:2 in prayer?
7. What is the significance of Balaam's sacrifices in Numbers 23:2 for understanding divine communication?
8. How does Numbers 23:2 reflect the relationship between God and non-Israelite prophets?
9. Why does Balaam follow Balak's instructions in Numbers 23:2 despite God's earlier warnings?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23?
11. What is the Doctrine of Balaam?
12. Numbers 23:1-2: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting Balaam's elaborate sacrifices on seven altars with seven bulls and seven rams?
13. How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility?
14. 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)?What Does Numbers 23:2 Mean So Balak didBalak, the king of Moab, follows through without hesitation. • His immediate obedience reveals just how desperate he is to secure Balaam’s curse on Israel (see Numbers 22:6; 23:17). • The narrative reminds us that earthly power often bends toward spiritual solutions when military might feels inadequate (compare 2 Kings 1:13–15). • God allows Balak’s actions, yet will soon overrule his intent—echoing Proverbs 19:21: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”
as Balaam had instructedBalaam, though a pagan diviner, knows enough to prescribe sacrifices, hoping to manipulate the spiritual realm. • Numbers 22:18 shows Balaam’s stated resolve to speak only what God allows; still, his heart is enticed by reward (2 Peter 2:15). • The scene illustrates that correct ritual without right motive never coerces God (Isaiah 1:11-15). • Even a reluctant prophet’s words will serve God’s sovereign plan (compare Jonah 3:1-4).
and Balak and Balaam offeredBoth men participate, symbolizing a united front against Israel. • Joint sacrifice underscores the alliance of political and spiritual agendas (Psalm 2:2-4). • Yet their cooperation cannot override God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:3), a promise soon reaffirmed through Balaam’s oracles (Numbers 23:8-10).
a bull and a ramThe choice of animals matches common high-value offerings. • In Leviticus 1:3-10 bulls and rams represent costly devotion; here they expose the costliness of rebellion when misapplied. • Hebrews 10:4 later clarifies that such sacrifices, even when rightly offered, could never fully take away sin—pointing ahead to Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14).
on each altarSeven altars (Numbers 23:1) scatter across the high places of Baal. • The multiplied altars and offerings display human efforts to earn divine favor, contrasted with God’s single altar in His chosen place (Deuteronomy 12:5-6). • Despite the elaborate setup, God will turn every intended curse into blessing (Nehemiah 13:2).
summaryNumbers 23:2 captures a dramatic yet futile attempt to manipulate God through lavish ritual. Balak’s prompt obedience to Balaam, Balaam’s calculated instructions, their shared sacrifices, and the costly animals spread across multiple altars all highlight human schemes colliding with divine sovereignty. The verse sets the stage for God to transform curses into blessings, proving once more that His purposes for His people stand unshaken, no matter how elaborate the opposition. (2) And Balak and Balaam offered.--It is more probable that Balak, as a king, performed priestly functions than that Balaam performed them alone. (See Note on Numbers 22:40.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So Balakבָּלָ֔ק (bā·lāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite kingdidוַיַּ֣עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, makeasכַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer)Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatBalaamבִּלְעָ֑ם (bil·‘ām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophethad directed,דִּבֶּ֣ר (dib·ber)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdueand Balakבָּלָ֧ק (bā·lāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite kingand Balaamוּבִלְעָ֛ם (ū·ḇil·‘ām)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophetofferedוַיַּ֨עַל (way·ya·‘al)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, activelya bullפָּ֥ר (pār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499: Young bull, steerand a ramוָאַ֖יִל (wā·’a·yil)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong treeon each altar.בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (bam·miz·bê·aḥ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar
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OT Law: Numbers 23:2 Balak did as Balaam had spoken (Nu Num.) |
