New International VersionBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering while I meet with him over there.”
New Living TranslationThen Balaam said to the king, “Stand here by your burnt offerings while I go over there to meet the LORD.”
English Standard VersionBalaam said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering, while I meet the LORD over there.”
Berean Standard BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
King James BibleAnd he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.
New King James VersionAnd he said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
New American Standard BibleThen he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I myself meet the LORD over there.”
NASB 1995And he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I myself meet the LORD over there.”
NASB 1977And he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering, while I myself meet the LORD yonder.”
Legacy Standard BibleAnd he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I myself meet Yahweh over there.”
Amplified BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I go to meet the LORD over there.”
Christian Standard BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering while I seek the LORD over there.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering while I seek the LORD over there.”
American Standard VersionAnd he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I meet Jehovah yonder.
Contemporary English Version"Wait here beside your offerings," Balaam said. "The LORD will appear to me over there."
English Revised VersionAnd he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen Balaam said to Balak, "Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet with God over there."
Good News TranslationBalaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offering, and I will meet God over there."
International Standard VersionThen he told Balak, "Stand by your offering while I go alone to meet the LORD."
NET BibleAnd Balaam said to Balak, "Station yourself here by your burnt offering, while I meet the LORD there.
New Heart English BibleHe said to Balak, "Station yourself here by your burnt offering, while I meet over there."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he said to Balak, Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
World English BibleHe said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet God over there.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says to Balak, “Station yourself here by your burnt-offering, and I meet [Him] there”;
Young's Literal Translation And he saith unto Balak, 'Station thyself here by thy burnt-offering, and I -- I meet Him there;'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will say to Balak, Stand here by thy burnt-offering, and I will meet there. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe said to Balac: Stand here by thy burnt offering while I go to meet him.
Catholic Public Domain Versionhe said to Balak, “Stand here next to your holocaust, while I continue on to meet him.”
New American BibleBalaam then said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I seek a meeting over there.”
New Revised Standard VersionBalaam said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offerings, while I meet the LORD over there.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Balaam said to Balak, Stand here by your burnt offerings while I go yonder.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Balaam said to Balaq: “Arise here with your burnt offerings and I shall come as far as here.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said unto Balak: 'Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I go toward a meeting yonder.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Balaam said to Balac, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will go to enquire of God.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Balaam's Second Oracle… 14So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15Balaam saidtoBalak,“Stayherebesideyour burnt offeringwhile Imeet the LORDover there.”16And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”…
Cross References Numbers 24:1-2And 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. / When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
Numbers 22:38-41“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.” / So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. / Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him. ...
Deuteronomy 18:18-19I 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.
1 Samuel 9:9(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)
1 Kings 22:13-14Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” / But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”
Jeremiah 1:7-9But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. / Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. / Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
Ezekiel 13:1-3Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.
Amos 3:7-8Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. / The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?
Matthew 10:19-20But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 12:18“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
Luke 1:70as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
John 12:49-50I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”
Acts 3:22-23For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. / Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’
Acts 10:34-36Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. / He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Romans 12:6We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
Treasury of Scripture And he said to Balak, Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. Numbers 22:8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. Jump to Previous BalaamBurnedBurntBurnt-OfferingMeetMeetingOfferingStandStationThyselfYonderJump to Next BalaamBurnedBurntBurnt-OfferingMeetMeetingOfferingStandStationThyselfYonderNumbers 23 1.Balak's sacrificesBalaam said to BalakBalaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure who is both a diviner and a recipient of God's messages. His interactions with Balak, the king of Moab, highlight the tension between divine will and human ambition. Balak, fearing the Israelites, seeks Balaam's curse against them. This phrase sets the stage for a significant encounter where human plans are subject to divine intervention. Stay here beside your burnt offering Burnt offerings were a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions, symbolizing devotion and seeking favor from deities. In the context of Israelite worship, burnt offerings were a means of atonement and dedication to God. Here, Balak's offering reflects his desire to manipulate divine favor, contrasting with the Israelite understanding of offerings as acts of obedience and worship. while I meet the LORD over there Balaam's intention to meet the LORD indicates a direct communication with the God of Israel, despite his pagan background. This encounter underscores the sovereignty of God, who can use even those outside the covenant community to fulfill His purposes. The phrase suggests a physical separation, emphasizing the holiness and distinctiveness of God's presence. It also foreshadows the unfolding narrative where God's will prevails over human schemes, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God's ultimate authority and the futility of opposing His plans. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who is called upon by Balak to curse the Israelites. Despite his intentions, he is used by God to bless Israel instead. 2. BalakThe king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to have them cursed by Balaam to protect his kingdom. 3. Burnt OfferingA sacrificial offering made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication. In this context, it is part of the ritual Balak uses to seek divine favor. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who communicates with Balaam and ultimately controls the outcome of Balaam's prophecies. 5. MoabThe region ruled by Balak, representing opposition to Israel in this account. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyGod's control over the situation with Balaam and Balak demonstrates His ultimate authority over all nations and individuals. We can trust that God's plans will prevail, regardless of human intentions. The Power of ObedienceBalaam's interactions with God show the importance of obedience to God's word. Even when pressured by Balak, Balaam must follow God's instructions, reminding us to prioritize God's will over human demands. The Role of SacrificeThe burnt offering signifies dedication and atonement. In our lives, we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, wholly dedicated to God's service ( Romans 12:1). God's Protection Over His PeopleJust as God protected Israel from Balaam's curse, He continues to protect His people today. We can find comfort in knowing that God is our shield and defender. The Futility of Opposing GodBalak's efforts to curse Israel are futile against God's will. This teaches us that opposing God is ultimately fruitless, and aligning with His purposes is the path to true success. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23
Is it possible to curse a Christian?
Numbers 23:8-10: How credible is it that a pagan prophet blesses Israel despite a king's demand to curse them, considering other biblical narratives?
Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3?
How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility?Verse 15. - While I meet the Lord yonder. Rather, "and I will go and meet thus." וְאָנֹכִי אִקָּרֶה כֹּה. Balaam does not say whom or what he is going to meet, but from the use of the same term in chapter 24. I it is evident that he employed the language of soothsayers looking for auguries. He may have spoken vaguely on purpose, because he was in truth acting a part with Balak.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Balaam saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toBalak,בָּלָ֔ק(bā·lāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1111:Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king“Stayהִתְיַצֵּ֥ב(hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3320:To set or station oneself, take one's standhereכֹּ֖ה(kōh)Adverb Strong's 3541:Like this, thus, here, nowbesideעַל־(‘al-)Preposition Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstyour burnt offeringעֹלָתֶ֑ךָ(‘ō·lā·ṯe·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5930:Whole burnt offeringwhile Iוְאָנֹכִ֖י(wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595:Imeet [the LORD]אִקָּ֥רֶה(’iq·qā·reh)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 7136:To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbersover there.”כֹּֽה׃(kōh)Adverb Strong's 3541:Like this, thus, here, now
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OT Law: Numbers 23:15 He said to Balak Stand here (Nu Num.) |