New International VersionThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet with me. Whatever he reveals to me I will tell you.” Then he went off to a barren height.
New Living TranslationThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the LORD will respond to me. Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.” So Balaam went alone to the top of a bare hill,
English Standard VersionAnd Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you.” And he went to a bare height,
Berean Standard Bible“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,
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a desolate height.
New American Standard BibleThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.
NASB 1995Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.
NASB 1977Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.
Legacy Standard BibleThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.
Amplified BibleThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me; and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a desolate hill.
Christian Standard BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone. Maybe the LORD will meet with me. I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.” So he went to a barren hill.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone. Maybe the LORD will meet with me. I will tell you whatever He reveals to me.” So he went to a barren hill.
American Standard VersionAnd Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go: peradventure Jehovah will come to meet me; and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to a bare height.
Contemporary English VersionThen Balaam said, "Wait here beside your offerings, and I'll go somewhere to be alone. Maybe the LORD will appear to me. If he does, I will tell you everything he says." And he left.
English Revised VersionAnd 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 a bare height.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBalaam said to Balak, "Stay here beside your burnt offering while I'm gone. Maybe the LORD will come and meet with me. I will tell you whatever he reveals to me." Then Balaam went off to a higher place where there were no trees.
Good News TranslationThen Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offering, while I go to see whether or not the LORD will meet me. I will tell you whatever he reveals to me." So he went alone to the top of a hill,
International Standard VersionThen Balaam instructed Balak, "Stand by your offering and leave me alone by myself. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. I'll tell you whatever he reveals to me." And so he went to a high place,
NET BibleBalaam said to Balak, "Station yourself by your burnt offering, and I will go off; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever he reveals to me I will tell you." Then he went to a deserted height.
New Heart English BibleBalaam said to Balak, "Station yourself by your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps God will come to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you." And Balak went off and stationed himself by his offering, and Balaam called to God and went off to a barren height.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Balaam said to Balak, Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go: it may be the LORD will come to meet me: and whatever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to a high place. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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,
World English BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you.” He went to a bare height. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Balaam says to Balak, “Station yourself by your burnt-offering and I go on, it may be YHWH comes to meet me, and the thing which He shows me I have declared to you”; and he goes [to] a high place.
Young's Literal Translation and Balaam saith to Balak, 'Station thyself by thy burnt-offering and I go on, it may be Jehovah doth come to meet me, and the thing which He sheweth me -- I have declared to thee;' and he goeth to a high place.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Balsam will say to Balak, Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go; perhaps Jehovah will come to my meeting: and the word which he will shew to me I will announce to thee. And he will go to the naked hill. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Balaam said to Balac: Stand a while by thy burnt offering, until I go, to see if perhaps the Lord will meet me, and whatsoever he shall command, I will speak to thee.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Balaam said to Balak: “Stand for a little while next to your holocaust, until I go, to see if perhaps the Lord will meet with me. And whatever he will command, I shall speak to you.”
New American BibleBalaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering while I go over there. Perhaps the LORD will meet me, and then I will tell you whatever he lets me see.” And so he went out on the barren height.
New Revised Standard VersionThen Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offerings while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you.” And he went to a bare height. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Balaam said to Balak, Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you. So he went away quietly.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Balaam said to Balaq: “Arise, stand with your burnt offerings and I shall go; perhaps LORD JEHOVAH shall call to meet me and the answer that He shows to me I shall show it to you”; and he went straight forward. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go; peradventure the LORD will come to meet me; and whatsoever He showeth me I will tell thee.' And he went to a bare height.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Balaam said to Balac, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will go and see if God will appear to me and meet me, and the word which he shall shew me, I will report to thee. And Balac stood by his sacrifice.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Balaam's First Oracle… 2So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3“Stayhere byyour burnt offeringwhile I am gone,”Balaamsaidto Balak.“Perhapsthe LORDwill meet with me.And whateverHe reveals to me,I will tellyou.”So Balaam went offto a barren height,4and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”…
Cross References Genesis 22:5“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.”
Exodus 24:14And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Whoever has a dispute can go to them.”
1 Samuel 9:27As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I will reveal to you the word of God.” So the servant went on.
1 Kings 18:42So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees.
2 Kings 4:29So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”
Isaiah 26:20Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.
Jeremiah 42:7After ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah,
Ezekiel 3:22And there the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He said to me, “Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.”
Daniel 10:7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.
Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
Matthew 17:1-3After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:2-4After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
Luke 9:28-31About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. / And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white. / Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. ...
John 16:13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
Acts 10:9The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
Treasury of Scripture And Balaam said to Balak, Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatever he shows me I will tell you. And he went to an high place. Stand Numbers 23:15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meetthe LORD yonder. burnt Genesis 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Genesis 22:2,7,8,13 And he said, Take now thy son, thine onlyson Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of… Exodus 18:12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. peradventure Numbers 23:15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meetthe LORD yonder. Numbers 22:8,9,31-35 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… Numbers 24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. went to an high place. Jump to Previous BalakBareBurntHeightHighHillMeetOfferingOpenPeradventurePerhapsRevealsShewsShowethShowsStandStationThyselfWhateverWhatsoeverWordJump to Next BalakBareBurntHeightHighHillMeetOfferingOpenPeradventurePerhapsRevealsShewsShowethShowsStandStationThyselfWhateverWhatsoeverWordNumbers 23 1.Balak's sacrificesStay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,In the ancient Near Eastern context, burnt offerings were a common practice among various cultures, including the Israelites, as a means of worship and seeking favor from deities. The burnt offering here signifies an attempt to gain divine attention and favor. Balaam instructs Balak to remain by the offering, indicating the importance of the ritual in seeking a divine encounter. This reflects the belief that sacrifices could facilitate communication with the divine, a concept also seen in Leviticus 1, where burnt offerings are detailed as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Balaam said to Balak.
Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure who is both a seer and a diviner. His interactions with Balak, the king of Moab, highlight the tension between divine will and human desire. Balak's role as king underscores the political and spiritual stakes involved, as he seeks to curse Israel, whom he perceives as a threat. This interaction is part of a larger narrative where God uses Balaam, despite his intentions, to bless Israel instead. Perhaps the LORD will meet with me.
The use of "perhaps" indicates uncertainty in Balaam's ability to control or predict divine encounters, emphasizing God's sovereignty. The term "LORD" (YHWH) is significant, as it denotes the covenant name of the God of Israel, suggesting that Balaam acknowledges the power and authority of Israel's God, even though he is not an Israelite. This reflects the biblical theme that God can reveal Himself to and through anyone, regardless of their background. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.
Balaam's commitment to relay only what God reveals highlights the prophetic principle of speaking God's truth, regardless of personal or political pressure. This aligns with the biblical standard for true prophecy, as seen inDeuteronomy 18:18-22, where a prophet must speak only what God commands. Balaam's statement foreshadows the divine messages he will deliver, which ultimately bless Israel instead of cursing them. So Balaam went off to a barren height,
The "barren height" refers to a high place, often used in ancient times for worship and divination, as it was believed to be closer to the divine realm. This setting underscores the spiritual nature of Balaam's task and the expectation of a divine encounter. High places were common in Canaanite and Israelite worship, though later condemned in Israelite practice (2 Kings 23:8). The choice of location reflects the cultural and religious practices of the time, where geography was thought to influence spiritual experiences. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is called upon by Balak to curse the Israelites. Balaam is a complex figure who acknowledges the power of the LORD but is also enticed by the rewards offered by Balak. 2. BalakThe king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites due to their numbers and past victories. He seeks Balaam's help to curse the Israelites in hopes of defeating them. 3. Burnt OfferingA sacrificial offering made by Balak, which is a common practice in ancient times to seek favor or guidance from a deity. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who ultimately controls the outcome of Balaam's prophecies and demonstrates His sovereignty over all nations and peoples. 5. Barren HeightA high place where Balaam goes to seek a divine encounter. High places were often used in ancient times for worship and seeking divine revelation. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyGod's control over the situation with Balaam and Balak demonstrates His ultimate authority over all nations and individuals. No curse or human intention can thwart God's plans for His people. Seeking God's WillBalaam's approach to seek what the LORD will reveal is a reminder of the importance of seeking God's will in our decisions. We should prioritize divine guidance over human desires or pressures. The Danger of CompromiseBalaam's account warns against the temptation to compromise our faith for personal gain. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to God's commands, even when faced with enticing offers. The Power of Blessing and CurseThe account illustrates the spiritual reality of blessings and curses. As believers, we are called to bless others and trust in God's protection against any spiritual opposition. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Numbers 23:3?
2.How does Balaam's action in Numbers 23:3 demonstrate seeking God's guidance first?
3.What does Numbers 23:3 teach about waiting for God's direction in decisions?
4.How can we apply Balaam's example of seeking solitude for prayer today?
5.How does Numbers 23:3 connect with Psalm 46:10 about being still before God?
6.What steps can you take to prioritize listening for God's voice daily?
7.What is the significance of Balaam's actions in Numbers 23:3 for understanding prophecy?
8.How does Numbers 23:3 reflect God's sovereignty in the Bible?
9.Why does Balaam seek God's guidance in Numbers 23:3 despite being a pagan prophet?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23?
11.How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility?
12.Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3?
13.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?
14.What is the Doctrine of Balaam?What Does Numbers 23:3 Mean Setting within the narrativeIsrael is camped on the plains of Moab, just across the Jordan (Numbers 22:1). Balak, king of Moab, fears Israel’s numbers and seeks supernatural help. He hires Balaam, a well-known diviner from Mesopotamia (Numbers 22:5). The LORD has already told Balaam not to curse Israel because they are blessed (Numbers 22:12), yet Balaam keeps negotiating, revealing a heart pulled between God’s word and the lure of Balak’s reward (2 Peter 2:15).
The burnt offering Balak must guard• Balak offers seven bulls and seven rams on seven altars (Numbers 23:1-2), a costly display meant to secure divine favor. • Balaam tells Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone” (23:3). The sacrifice is left smoldering as a visible plea to God, echoing earlier altar scenes where someone waits beside an offering for God’s answer (Leviticus 1:9;1 Samuel 13:9-12). • The arrangement underscores that no amount of ritual can manipulate God; He will speak as He chooses (Psalm 50:8-13).
“Perhaps the LORD will meet with me”• Balaam’s word “perhaps” shows that genuine encounter with the LORD is sovereignly granted, never guaranteed by human effort (Exodus 33:19). • This contrasts sharply with pagan divination, which claimed to coerce the gods. Balaam, despite his mixed motives, admits that only the LORD can initiate communication (Proverbs 19:21). • The scene anticipates later prophets who wait for God’s word rather than invent it (Jeremiah 23:18, 22).
Commitment to speak only what God reveals• Balaam says, “Whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you” (Numbers 23:3; cf. 22:18; 24:13). On the surface this sounds faithful, aligning withDeuteronomy 18:18-20 that a prophet must relay the divine message unaltered. • Yet Balaam’s later counsel that leads Israel into sin (Numbers 31:16;Revelation 2:14) shows how a person can say the right words while harboring a wrong heart, reminding us that obedience must be both verbal and moral (Matthew 7:21-23).
The barren height• Balaam “went off to a barren height.” High places were customary locations for both legitimate and illegitimate worship (1 Samuel 9:12-14; 1 Kin 3:4). • The bareness pictures isolation—no distractions, no human audience—so the revelation, when it comes, is unmistakably from God (1 Kin 19:11-13). • In the following verses, God indeed meets Balaam and places words of blessing, not cursing, in his mouth (Numbers 23:4-12), proving divine sovereignty over every attempted manipulation.
Take-home truths• God’s word cannot be bent by sacrifices, money, or human pressure (Numbers 23:8;Isaiah 40:13-14). • An impressive ritual means nothing unless the heart submits to God’s revealed will (1 Samuel 15:22). • Even unlikely instruments—such as a foreign diviner—must bow to speak God’s truth, showcasing His absolute authority (Luke 19:40).
summaryNumbers 23:3 records Balaam pausing between the costly sacrifices of Balak and the sovereign voice of the LORD. The verse teaches that genuine revelation comes only at God’s initiative, that the messenger is duty-bound to share it without alteration, and that no human offering can coerce or redirect the divine purpose. (3) To an high place.--Rather, to a bare or barren heightThe heathen augurs were accustomed to choose elevated places for their auspices with an extensive prospect, especially the barren summits of mountains. Verse 3. - Peradventure the Lord will come to meet me. It might be concluded from Numbers 24:1 that Balaam went only to look for "auguries," i.e., for such natural signs in the flight of birds and the like as the heathen were wont to observe as manifestations of the favour or disfavour of God, the success or failure of enterprises. It seems clear that it was his practice to do so, either as having some faith himself in such uncertainties, or as stooping to usual heathen arts which he inwardly despised. But from the fact that God met him (we know not how), and that such supernatural communication was not unexpected, we may conclude that Balaam's words meant more for himself than the mere observance of auguries, whatever they may have meant for Balak. To an high place. Rather, "to a bald place" ( שֶׁפִי - compare the meaning of "Calvary"), from which the immediate prospect was uninterrupted.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “Stayהִתְיַצֵּב֮(hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3320:To set or station oneself, take one's standhere byעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstyour burnt offeringעֹלָתֶךָ֒(‘ō·lā·ṯe·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5930:Whole burnt offeringwhile I am gone,”וְאֵֽלְכָ֗ה(wə·’ê·lə·ḵāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkBalaamבִּלְעָ֜ם(bil·‘ām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109:Balaam -- a prophetsaidוַיֹּ֨אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto Balak.לְבָלָ֗ק(lə·ḇā·lāq)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111:Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king“Perhapsאוּלַ֞י(’ū·lay)Adverb
Strong's 194:Perhapsthe LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwill meet with me.לִקְרָאתִ֔י(liq·rā·ṯî)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7125:Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the wayAnd whateverמַה־(mah-)Interrogative
Strong's 4100:What?, what!, indefinitely whatHe reveals to me,יַּרְאֵ֖נִי(yar·’ê·nî)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7200:To seeI will tellוְהִגַּ֣דְתִּי(wə·hig·gaḏ·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5046:To be conspicuousyou.”לָ֑ךְ(lāḵ)Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's HebrewSo [Balaam] went offוַיֵּ֖לֶךְ(way·yê·leḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkto a barren height,שֶֽׁפִי׃(še·p̄î)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8205:Bareness, a smooth or bare height
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OT Law: Numbers 23:3 Balaam said to Balak Stand by your (Nu Num.) |
