Balak
The king of Moab who hired a prophet to curse Israel, and heard him bless them three times.
Old Testament · c. 1400–1250 BC · Numbers, Joshua, Micah, Revelation · Also known as Son of Zippor, King of Moab
About Balak
Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab when Israel camped on his border after the Exodus. Terrified, he said, "Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field." He sent for the prophet Balaam with a fee: "Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me." Three times he built seven altars on three different heights, and three times Balaam blessed Israel. "I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times." Centuries later, Micah told Israel to "remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted."
Balak’s fear was needless: God had told Israel, "Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle." Ancient kings often hired diviners to curse enemies before war. An inscription naming "Balaam son of Beor" has been found at Deir Alla in Jordan.
The story
Too mighty for me
"And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people." He sent to Balaam: "Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me... for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed."
Numbers 22:2-6
Very great honour
When Balaam refused, Balak sent "princes, more, and more honourable than they," promising, "I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people."
Numbers 22:15-17
Come with me unto another place
On a high place Balak and Balaam "offered on every altar a bullock and a ram." But Balaam blessed Israel. "What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether." "Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place." Twice more they moved, built seven altars, and heard blessings.
Numbers 23:1-30
He smote his hands together
"And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour."
Numbers 24:10-11
Key moments
- Fears Israel: "They are too mighty for me." (Numbers 22:3-6)
- Sends for Balaam: With "the rewards of divination." (Numbers 22:7)
- Builds seven altars: On three different heights. (Numbers 23:1-2)
- Hears three blessings: "Thou hast altogether blessed them." (Numbers 24:10)
- Remembered by Micah: "Remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted." (Micah 6:5)
Questions about Balak
In meetBible these answers are given in Balak’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you want Israel cursed?
Fear. "Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many." I said, "Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field." What I didn’t know was that their God had already told them, "Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle." I was bracing for a war that was never coming.
Why did you keep moving Balaam to new places?
I hoped a different view would bring a different answer: "Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them... and curse me them from thence." Seven altars, then seven more, then seven more. But a blessing from God doesn’t depend on where you stand. Balaam told me, "God is not a man, that he should lie."
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Numbers 22:1-6; 23:11-13; 24:10-11.