Topical Encyclopedia
Balak, a significant figure in the Old Testament, was the king of Moab during the time of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. His account is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24. Balak is best known for his interactions with the prophet Balaam, whom he summoned to curse the Israelites.
Historical ContextBalak reigned over Moab during a period of great anxiety for his people. The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt and having wandered in the wilderness, were approaching the borders of Moab. The Moabites, witnessing the Israelites' victories over the Amorites, were filled with dread.
Numbers 22:3 states, "And Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites."
Balak's Request to BalaamIn an attempt to protect his kingdom, Balak sought the services of Balaam, a prophet known for his ability to bless and curse. Balak sent messengers to Balaam with the request to curse the Israelites, hoping to weaken them.
Numbers 22:6 records Balak's plea: "Please come now and curse this people for me, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land."
Balaam's ResponseInitially, Balaam refused to go with Balak's messengers, as God instructed him not to curse the Israelites, for they were blessed. However, after Balak's persistent entreaties and the promise of great reward, Balaam sought God's permission again. This time, God allowed Balaam to go but instructed him to only speak what He commanded.
The Oracles of BalaamDespite Balak's expectations, Balaam, under divine inspiration, pronounced blessings over Israel instead of curses. In
Numbers 23:8 , Balaam declared, "How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?" Balak, frustrated by Balaam's blessings, took him to different locations, hoping a change of scenery might alter the outcome. Yet, each time, Balaam continued to bless Israel, culminating in a prophecy of Israel's future dominance and the coming of a star out of Jacob (
Numbers 24:17).
Balak's ReactionBalak's reaction to Balaam's oracles was one of anger and disappointment.
Numbers 24:10 describes Balak's response: "Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.'"
Legacy and LessonsBalak's account serves as a testament to the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations and individuals. Despite Balak's intentions and efforts, God's will prevailed, demonstrating that no curse can stand against those whom God has blessed. Balak's reliance on human schemes and his failure to recognize the power of the God of Israel highlight the futility of opposing divine purposes.
Balak's narrative also underscores the theme of God's protection over His chosen people, Israel, and His ability to turn intended curses into blessings. This account is a reminder of the importance of aligning with God's will and the ultimate futility of resisting His plans.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Balakwho lays waste or destroys
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Balak(spoiler), son of Zippor, king of the Moabites, who hired Balaam to curse the Israelites; but his designs were frustrated int he manner recorded in (Numbers 22:24) (B.C. 1451.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
BalakKing of Moab, when the Israelites were drawing near the promised land. He was filled with terror lest they should attack and destroy him, as they had Sihon and Og, and implored the soothsayer Balaam to come and curse them. His fears and his devices were both in vain, De 2:9. SeeBALAAM. He found he had nothing to fear from Israel if at peace with them, and nothing to hope if at war with them.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Empty; spoiler, a son of Zippor, and king of the Moabites (
Numbers 22:2, 4). From fear of the Israelites, who were encamped near the confines of his territory, he applied to Balaam (q.v.) to curse them; but in vain (
Joshua 24:9).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BALAKba'-ak balaq, ("devastator" or "one who lays waste"): Mentioned in connection with the story of Balaam/balak (Numbers 22-24; compareJoshua 24:9Judges 11:25Micah 6:5Revelation 2:14). He was the king of Moab who hired Balaam to pronounce a curse on the Israelites.
SeeBALAAM.
Greek
904.Balak --Balak, a king of the Moabites... 903, 904.
Balak. 905 .
Balak, a king of the Moabites. Part of Speech:
Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Balak Phonetic
...Strong's Hebrew
6834. Tsippor -- "bird," father ofBalak... 6833, 6834. Tsippor. 6835 . "bird," father of
Balak. Transliteration: Tsippor
Phonetic Spelling: (tsip-pore') Short Definition: Zippor.
...1111. Balaq -- "devastator," a Moabite king
... 1110, 1111. Balaq. 1112 . "devastator," a Moabite king. Transliteration: Balaq
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-lawk') Short Definition:Balak....Balak....
Library
Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's...
... SERMON XVIII.Balak's inquiries relative to the service of God, and Balaam's
answer, briefly considered. Micah vi.6, 7, 8. "Wherewith...
The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... AndBalak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites....
AndBalak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time....
Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... 2. WhenBalak, the king of the Moabites, who had from his ancestors a friendship
and league with the Midianites, saw how great the Israelites were grown, he...
"On Conscience"
... The persons speaking areBalak the King of Moab; and Balaam, then under divine
impressions (it seems, then "not far from the kingdom of God, "although he...
Balaam
... 'Remember,' says the prophet Micah, 'O my people, whatBalak, king of Moab, consulted,
and what Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal...
From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
...Balak, the King of Moab, had beard of Balaam, a famous soothsayer or wise prophet
of Chaldea, whose curses and blessings were reported to carry with them...
Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... a further word is in place.Balak the Moabite sent for this heathen prophet
to "curse" Israel. A handsome reward was offered for...
Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after...
... And he took up his parable, and said,Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from
Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come...
The Wilderness.
... The Moabites took alarm, though these, as descended from Abraham's nephew Lot, were
to be left unharmed; and their king,Balak, sent, as it appears, even to...
Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
... WhenBalak heard of Israel's march, he was afraid and sent to call Balaam
to curse Israel for him. Balaam set out on his way with...
Thesaurus
Balak's (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Balak's (3 Occurrences). Numbers 22:7 And the
elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the
...Balak (42 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.BALAK. ba'-ak... Israelites. See BALAAM.
Multi-Version ConcordanceBalak (42 Occurrences). Revelation...
Zippor (7 Occurrences)
... A little bird, the father ofBalak, king of Moab (Numbers 22:2, 4). Int.... Numbers
22:2Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites....
Pierce (30 Occurrences)
... And what -- am I indignant? -- Jehovah hath not been indignant! (YLT). Numbers
23:11 AndBalak saith unto Balaam, 'What hast thou done to me?...
Peor (14 Occurrences)
... Opening. (1.) A mountain peak (Numbers 23:28) to whichBalak led Balaam as
a last effort to induce him to pronounce a curse upon Israel....
Princes (324 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:13 Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes ofBalak,
"Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you." (WEB KJV JPS...
Leaders (167 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes ofBalak:
'Get you into your land; for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with...
Utmost (21 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:36 WhenBalak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to
the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost...
Offereth (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Numbers 23:2 AndBalak doth as Balaam hath spoken, andBalak --
Balaam also -- offereth a bullock and a ram on the altar, (YLT)....
Extremity (46 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:36 And whenBalak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him, to
the city of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is at the...
Resources
Who was Balak in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Balaam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDid Balaam's donkey really talk to him? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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