Numbers 22 16

Numbers 22:16 kjv

And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:

Numbers 22:16 nkjv

And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: 'Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me;

Numbers 22:16 niv

They came to Balaam and said: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me,

Numbers 22:16 esv

And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: 'Let nothing hinder you from coming to me,

Numbers 22:16 nlt

They went to Balaam and delivered this message to him: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please don't let anything stop you from coming to help me.

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 16 Meaning

Numbers 22:16 records the intensified plea from King Balak of Moab to Balaam, conveyed by a second, more distinguished delegation. Balak, deeply fearful of the Israelite multitude, urgently beseeches Balaam not to let anything prevent him from coming to curse them. This verse highlights Balak's escalating desperation, his belief in Balaam's immense power, and his attempts to overcome Balaam's previous refusal through stronger persuasion, potentially implying increased reward or honor. It also subtly foreshadows Balaam's own internal struggle between divine command and personal desire for prestige or wealth.

Numbers 22 16 Context

Numbers chapter 22 introduces Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner or prophet renowned for his ability to bless or curse effectively. King Balak of Moab, witnessing Israel's overwhelming military success against the Amorites, is gripped by fear, believing his kingdom is next. He forms an alliance with the elders of Midian and sends them with payment (diviner's fees) to enlist Balaam's services to curse Israel, hoping to weaken them. In verses 5-14, Balaam initially seeks God's will and is explicitly forbidden by Yahweh to go with Balak's envoys or curse Israel because "they are blessed." Despite this clear prohibition, Balak, likely assuming Balaam's refusal was due to insufficient honor or payment, sends a second delegation of higher-ranking, more numerous princes. Verse 16 contains their emphatic message directly from Balak, showing his escalating desperation and the increased pressure on Balaam. This scene sets the stage for Balaam's compromised journey and the subsequent supernatural events involving his donkey and the Angel of the LORD. The cultural context reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in the power of professional diviners and sorcerers to influence outcomes through spoken curses or blessings.

Numbers 22 16 Word analysis

• Thus they came: This signifies the arrival of Balak's second delegation, notably more prestigious than the first, indicating Balak's increased determination and escalation of the situation.

• to Balaam: Emphasizes Balaam as the central figure, the one with reputed supernatural power. He is the specific target of Balak's persistent entreaty.

• and said to him: Introduces the direct communication of Balak's intensified plea.

• Thus saith Balak: (Hebrew: כֹּה אָמַר בָּלָק - kōh ’āmar Bālāq). This is the standard "messenger formula" (Verbal inspiration). This phrase indicates the authoritative nature of the message; it is a direct quote from the king, underscoring its weight and the desperation of the sovereign. It also signifies the formal nature of the request, meant to convey Balak's royal command and the urgency of the situation.

• Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee: (Hebrew: אַל-נָא תִּמָּנַע מֵהַלֵּךְ - ’al-nā’ timmāna‘ mêhallēḵ).

  • אַל-נָא (’al-nā’): "Please do not" or "Let nothing, I pray thee." אַל (’al) is a particle for strong negative command or prohibition. נָא (nā’) is a particle of entreaty or plea, adding an element of politeness or earnest begging. It conveys urgency, respect, and desperation from Balak, seeking to remove any obstacle to Balaam's cooperation. Balak is not just commanding; he is urgently pleading.
  • תִּמָּנַע (timmāna‘): From the root מָנַע (mana‘), meaning "to withhold, restrain, hinder, refuse." This is in the Niphal stem (passive or reflexive), indicating "be withheld," "be kept back," or "be hindered." Balak is aware of some barrier that prevented Balaam previously (which was God's direct command, unknown to Balak). He urges Balaam to overcome any internal or external obstacle – be it conscience, previous divine instructions, or concerns about reward.
  • This phrase "Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee" expresses Balak's deep desire that no impediment, no objection, and no concern over insufficient honor or reward, should hold Balaam back from assisting him. It shows Balak's increasing desperation and a willingness to remove any such barrier, by implied promise of greater wealth and honor. This very plea hints at the underlying pull of temptation on Balaam's part, even after receiving a clear divine prohibition.

• from coming unto me: Directly states Balak's ultimate objective for Balaam, which is to have him physically present for the purpose of cursing Israel. Balak views Balaam's physical presence as crucial for the performance of the desired curse.

Numbers 22 16 Bonus section

The repeated delegations from Balak to Balaam, escalating in prestige and the intensity of their message, signify a common ancient Near Eastern custom where a higher dignitary or greater offering would be sent to secure the services of a powerful spiritual figure if initial attempts failed. This also shows a polemical point: while Balak, a foreign king, exerts significant human and financial pressure, ultimately, it is Yahweh's will, not Balak's inducements, that governs Balaam's actions concerning Israel. The emphasis on "hindrance" foreshadows the literal hindrance Balaam will face from the Angel of the LORD and his donkey, illustrating that truly, nothing could prevent God's purpose for Israel, nor could anything ultimately prevent His will from being enacted through Balaam, even when Balaam intended otherwise. Balaam’s journey represents a crucial moment for him to confirm his allegiance: would he serve God wholeheartedly, or would the promise of "honor" and wealth from Balak prove a stronger lure? His very response in verse 19, seeking permission again, reveals the initial signs of spiritual compromise already at play.

Numbers 22 16 Commentary

Numbers 22:16 encapsulates the intensifying drama of Balak's plea to Balaam. Having been refused once, Balak escalates his entreaty by sending more distinguished emissaries and explicitly conveying his message of profound need and expectation: "Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me." This command, softened by a desperate "I pray thee," reveals Balak's fear and his assumption that Balaam's initial refusal was merely a negotiation tactic or due to insufficient persuasion or honor, not divine command. The Hebrew verb mana‘ (to hinder) used here, highlights Balak's awareness of some barrier to Balaam's compliance and his fervent wish for it to be removed, implicitly promising further inducement or a resolution to any concern Balaam might harbor.

This verse serves as a crucial point in the narrative, as it underscores the growing temptation Balaam faces. While God had explicitly forbidden Balaam from going, Balak's persistence and the lure of "honor" and great rewards (Nu 22:17) begin to sway Balaam's heart, leading him to re-consult God despite a clear "no." This act of continually seeking divine permission after an initial definitive refusal speaks volumes about Balaam's spiritual state—a man torn between genuine access to Yahweh and an underlying desire for personal gain. The narrative here indirectly criticizes mercenary divination and asserts God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even a powerful diviner cannot act against the will of Yahweh, especially concerning His chosen people whom He has blessed. For the ancient reader, it highlighted the futility of relying on human sorcery against God's unbreakable covenant with Israel. Practically, it teaches us the danger of allowing worldly pressures, greed, or personal ambition to "hinder" us from strict obedience to God's clearly revealed will. We must guard against external influences that attempt to override God's definitive instructions.