Numbers 22 12

Numbers 22:12 kjv

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Numbers 22:12 nkjv

And God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

Numbers 22:12 niv

But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

Numbers 22:12 esv

God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

Numbers 22:12 nlt

But God told Balaam, "Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!"

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 12 Meaning

Numbers 22:12 reveals God's explicit command to Balaam, forbidding him from accompanying the Moabite emissaries and, critically, from uttering a curse against the people of Israel. The divine prohibition is unequivocally grounded in a profound theological truth: Israel's status as a people divinely blessed by God Himself, a blessing that is foundational and unalterable by human intent or magical invocation.

Numbers 22 12 Context

Numbers chapter 22 begins the narrative of Balak, the king of Moab, witnessing the Israelites' military victories and fearing for his kingdom. Recognizing the Israelites' God-given power, he sought to neutralize them not through military means, but by hiring Balaam, a renowned diviner or prophet from Pethor near the Euphrates River, whose blessings and curses were known to be effective. Balak believed that if Balaam cursed Israel, their strength would be diminished, making them vulnerable. He sent esteemed messengers with rich rewards to secure Balaam's services. This verse (22:12) records God's immediate and direct intervention at Balaam's inquiry, explicitly prohibiting him from going with Balak's men and, more significantly, from cursing the Israelite people, providing the reason that they were already blessed by God. This sets the stage for the dramatic interactions that follow, highlighting God's unyielding protection over His chosen nation and the impotence of human or demonic forces against His divine decree.

Numbers 22 12 Word analysis

• And God said (וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים - vayyōmer Elohim):

  • וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyōmer): The waw-consecutive imperfect indicates immediate, direct speech, underscoring God's prompt intervention.
  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): A general, majestic name for God, frequently used in the Pentateuch, particularly in accounts emphasizing His creative power and universal sovereignty, not exclusively His covenant name (YHWH). Its use here highlights His universal authority over Balaam, a non-Israelite, and His control over all earthly powers.

• to Balaam (אֶל-בִּלְעָם - ʾel-bilʿām):

  • Balaam: A Mesopotamian diviner or prophet, recognized even outside Israel for his spiritual potency in uttering effective blessings and curses. His unique position allows for a direct interaction with the God of Israel, highlighting God's ability to communicate His will to anyone He chooses, even those involved in practices not explicitly condoned by His law for Israel.

• You shall not go (לֹא תֵלֵךְ - loʾ tēleḵ):

  • לֹא (loʾ): Strong negation, an absolute prohibition.
  • תֵלֵךְ (tēleḵ): Second person singular imperfect of halak (to go/walk). This direct command forbids any association or action in line with Balak's request. God immediately blocks the path to the potential curse.

• with them (עִמָּהֶם - ʿimmāhem):

  • Refers specifically to Balak's Moabite and Midianite emissaries. Emphasizes God's disapproval of Balaam aligning himself with those who oppose Israel.

• you shall not curse (לֹא תָאֹר - loʾ ṯāʾor):

  • לֹא (loʾ): Again, a strong, unequivocal prohibition.
  • תָאֹר (ṯāʾor): Second person singular imperfect of ʾarar (אָרַר), meaning to curse, execrate, lay under a ban, put under an imprecation. This is a potent and formal declaration of ill-will, carrying an expectation of direct harmful consequence. It is distinct from other Hebrew words for light curses or contempt. God specifically prohibits this severe form of anathema.

• the people (הָעָם - hāʿām):

  • הָעָם (hāʿām): The definite article "the" designates a specific, known people—Israel. It signifies their unique identity as God's chosen nation, distinct from all other peoples, and the object of His covenantal care.

• for they are blessed (כִּי בָרוּךְ הוּא - kî bārûḵ hûʾ):

  • כִּי (kî): "For," a strong causal conjunction, providing the fundamental reason for the prohibitions.
  • בָרוּךְ (bārûḵ): A passive participle, meaning "blessed." It signifies a state or condition that has been divinely bestowed. The blessing is not something contingent or temporary; it is an accomplished, enduring reality established by God.
  • הוּא (hûʾ): "He" or "it" (referring to the people as a collective singular). This highlights the divine initiative: it is God who has blessed them, and therefore their blessedness is His unassailable decree.
  • This phrase directly links to the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:2-3), where God promises to bless Abraham and his descendants. Any attempt to curse those God has definitively blessed is futile, challenging not merely the people, but the very word and faithfulness of God. It functions as a strong polemic against the ancient Near Eastern belief in the unhindered power of curses and magic; God's blessing overrides all.

Numbers 22 12 Bonus section

The episode of Balaam, commencing with Numbers 22:12, not only reaffirms God's covenant loyalty but also powerfully illustrates a divine polemic against the prevalent magical and divinatory practices of the ancient Near East. Balaam, a practitioner of such arts, is brought into direct encounter with YHWH, demonstrating that while such practices existed, their power was absolutely subject to God's ultimate authority. God did not simply negate Balaam's ability but channeled and controlled it, turning intended curses into blessings (Deut 23:5). This serves as a vital lesson: human designs, whether malevolent or strategic, cannot overturn God's preordained purposes or invalidate His declared favor upon His people. For believers, this extends to God's protective grace; just as He safeguarded ancient Israel, He protects His new covenant people, the church, against spiritual attacks and malign intentions, ensuring His blessing prevails.

Numbers 22 12 Commentary

Numbers 22:12 serves as a pivotal declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant promises. Faced with a perceived threat from Balak's magic-for-hire, God directly intervenes to secure Israel's well-being. The verse clearly prohibits Balaam from acting as Balak's agent in two specific ways: first, by joining the hostile party, indicating disapproval of alliance with Israel's enemies; and second, by pronouncing any form of curse upon His chosen people. The compelling reason given by God, "for they are blessed," underscores the divine, irrevocable nature of the blessing already bestowed upon Israel, rooted in the Abrahamic covenant. This highlights that any human attempt to undermine God's will or reverse His blessing is utterly futile and stands against divine authority. The interaction demonstrates God's active protection of Israel, showing that even a renowned diviner's power is subordinate to and impotent against the Word of God. It's a foundational statement that what God blesses, no one can curse.