Numbers 22:15 kjv
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
Numbers 22:15 nkjv
Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they.
Numbers 22:15 niv
Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.
Numbers 22:15 esv
Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these.
Numbers 22:15 nlt
Then Balak tried again. This time he sent a larger number of even more distinguished officials than those he had sent the first time.
Numbers 22 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 22:12-13 | God said to Balaam, “You shall not go... for they are blessed.” | God's clear instruction to Balaam |
| Num 22:5-6 | Balak sent messengers to Balaam... “a people has come out of Egypt... covering the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people...” | Balak's initial request |
| Num 31:16 | These are the ones who acted on Balaam’s counsel... | Balaam’s later corrupting influence |
| Deut 23:4-5 | ...they did not meet you with food and water... and hired Balaam... but the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam... | Balaam was hired to curse, God refused |
| Josh 13:22 | Among the slain of the Israelites, Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner, they put to the sword. | Balaam's demise for his actions |
| Neh 13:2 | ...because they did not meet the people of Israel with food and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them... | Confirmation of Balak's hire and purpose |
| Mic 6:5 | O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him... | Remembers Balak and Balaam's interaction |
| 2 Pet 2:15-16 | Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing... | Balaam as an example of covetousness |
| Jude 11 | Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error... | Balaam's error linked to greed |
| Rev 2:14 | But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel... | Balaam's pernicious influence continued |
| Prov 29:1 | He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. | Balaam's increasing resistance to God |
| Matt 4:8-9 | Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” | Parallel to tempting with worldly glory |
| Jas 1:14 | But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. | Highlights the inward nature of temptation |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil... | Directly addresses the core temptation |
| Prov 1:10-19 | My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent... they lie in wait for their own blood... | Warning against enticement and gain |
| Phil 3:19 | Their end is destruction, their god is their stomach, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. | Contrast with heavenly focus, pursuing earthly things |
| Ps 33:10-11 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples... The counsel of the LORD stands forever... | God's sovereignty over human schemes |
| Prov 19:21 | Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. | Human plans vs. divine purpose |
| Isa 46:10 | declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ | God's absolute control and foreknowledge |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's ability to use all circumstances |
| Luke 12:15 | ...Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. | Against covetousness, theme in Balaam's story |
Numbers 22 verses
Numbers 22 15 Meaning
Numbers 22:15 describes Balak's intensified second attempt to persuade Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. After Balaam's initial refusal, Balak demonstrated his desperation and shrewd understanding of human nature by sending an even larger and more distinguished delegation, offering increased status and potential rewards, hoping to sway Balaam from his obedience to God's command.
Numbers 22 15 Context
This verse is situated in Numbers chapter 22, detailing the account of Balak, King of Moab, and the diviner Balaam. After the Israelites' victory over the Amorites and their encampment on the plains of Moab, Balak became greatly alarmed. Fearing Israel's vast numbers and power (Num 22:3-4), he sought supernatural intervention by hiring Balaam, a renowned diviner/prophet from Pethor by the Euphrates, to curse the approaching Israelites. In Num 22:7-8, Balak's initial messengers came to Balaam, who inquired of the Lord. God unequivocally forbade Balaam from going with them or cursing Israel (Num 22:12), stating "they are blessed." Balaam communicated this refusal to Balak's initial princes (Num 22:13). Num 22:15 shows Balak's undeterred resolve and intensified pressure after this initial failure. He assumed Balaam's refusal was merely due to insufficient incentives, hence he escalated his efforts by sending an even more prestigious delegation, indicative of greater honor and promise of reward. This setup heightens the dramatic tension, testing Balaam's loyalty to God's explicit command against the allure of power, wealth, and status.
Numbers 22 15 Word analysis
- And Balak sent (וַיֹּסֶף בָּלָק שְׁלֹחַ - VayYosef Balak sh'loach):
- וַיֹּסֶף (VayYosef) - "and he added," or "and he did again." This verb highlights continuation, repetition, and intensification. It shows Balak's persistent, undeterred, and escalating effort. It signifies that he wasn't taking "no" for an answer, implying his strong will or desperation.
- שְׁלֹחַ (sh'loach) - "to send." The act of dispatching emissaries, typical for rulers conducting diplomatic or military operations.
- yet again (עוֹד - 'od):
- This adverb reinforces the previous "VayYosef," emphasizing the persistent, repeated nature of Balak's action. It signals a renewed and more forceful attempt.
- princes (שָׂרִים - sarim):
- Chiefs, officials, leaders. These were not just common men, but persons of rank and authority. The repeated use highlights that this was a formal delegation, conveying seriousness.
- more (רַבִּים - rabbim):
- Literally "many" or "numerous." This indicates an increase in the quantity of the delegation compared to the first group, suggesting greater pomp, official weight, and a show of strength and commitment from Balak.
- and more honorable than they (וְנִכְבָּדִים מֵאֵלֶּה - ve'nikhbadim me'elleh):
- וְנִכְבָּדִים (ve'nikhbadim) - "and those who are heavy," or "those who are glorious/honored/weighty." This signifies an increase in quality and prestige. These princes possessed greater authority, social standing, and perhaps direct ties to Balak himself, suggesting higher rewards if Balaam complied.
- מֵאֵלֶּה (me'elleh) - "from these" or "than these." A comparative indicating superiority to the previous delegation (Num 22:7), signaling Balak's escalation of pressure by offering more compelling persuasion tactics. This highlights Balak's understanding of worldly allurements: he didn't offer more money directly yet, but more "honor," which was a direct route to wealth and recognition for a figure like Balaam.
Numbers 22 15 Bonus section
The scene presented in Numbers 22:15 reveals a classic pattern of temptation: when a frontal assault fails (Balaam's initial refusal), a more subtle, appealing, and seemingly 'respectable' pressure is applied. Balak's actions anticipate the New Testament's warnings about the "lust of the eyes and the pride of life" (1 Jn 2:16) as potent tools of spiritual compromise. By sending "more honorable" princes, Balak was effectively putting on a dazzling display of wealth and influence, knowing that honor and social elevation could be just as tempting as direct financial gain for a respected figure like Balaam. This specific choice of increasing 'honor' rather than merely 'gold' first, shows a shrewd understanding of Balaam’s likely ambition and desire for affirmation from powerful figures, indicating that Balaam was not just a greedy man but also one susceptible to the prestige and respect that association with a king could bring.
Numbers 22 15 Commentary
Numbers 22:15 profoundly illustrates the insidious nature of temptation. Balak, representing the worldly system and opposition to God's people, does not give up after the first setback. Instead, he meticulously assesses the situation and elevates his strategy. His dispatching of "more and more honorable princes" signifies a strategic move designed to appeal to Balaam's inherent weakness – covetousness, love of status, and perhaps the desire for widespread recognition beyond merely a local reputation. The escalation in "honorable" messengers means the accompanying offer would have been proportionally greater in terms of prestige, reward, and even perceived power for Balaam. This move acts as a stronger magnet, testing the prophet's resolve against God's direct command. It showcases that a spirit of worldliness, when rebuffed, often responds not with retreat but with intensified and more appealing offers, aiming to wear down resistance. This escalation forces an individual, like Balaam, to choose between continued obedience to a clear divine directive and succumbing to the attractive but forbidden benefits of the world.Examples:
- A Christian initially declining an ethically dubious job offer, but then being tempted with an even higher salary and promotion for the same offer.
- Someone dedicated to their quiet faith being offered significant public accolades and platforms, contingent on compromising certain biblical principles.
- The devil’s persistence, as seen in his tempting of Jesus, where after initial failures, he still sought to lure Jesus with worldly glory and power.