Numbers 22 17

Numbers 22:17 kjv

For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

Numbers 22:17 nkjv

for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.' "

Numbers 22:17 niv

because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me."

Numbers 22:17 esv

for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.'"

Numbers 22:17 nlt

I will pay you very well and do whatever you tell me. Just come and curse these people for me!"

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 17 Meaning

Numbers 22:17 reveals Balak’s escalating attempt to sway Balaam after initial refusals. It presents a vastly intensified offer, promising immense "honor" and unlimited resources to Balaam in exchange for cursing the people of Israel. Balak believes such a curse would give him victory over Israel. This verse highlights the profound temptation placed before Balaam – unparalleled worldly gain – directly opposing the divine command not to curse Israel.

Numbers 22 17 Context

Numbers chapter 22 details Balak, the king of Moab's, growing fear of the Israelites, who have successfully conquered neighboring Amorite lands. Recognizing the spiritual power that seems to accompany Israel, Balak believes that if he can secure a divine curse on them, he can overcome their numerical and military superiority. Having heard of Balaam, a Mesopotamian diviner renowned for his powerful curses and blessings, Balak initially sent lower-ranking officials with a promise of reward (v. 7). However, Balaam refused them based on God's direct command not to go or curse Israel (v. 12). Un deterred and desperate, Balak sends a larger, more honorable delegation of princes and offers of lavish riches (v. 15). Numbers 22:17 is the explicit verbalization of Balak's ultimate, no-expense-spared proposal, designed to appeal to Balaam’s self-interest and overcome his divine constraint. This intensified offer tests Balaam's commitment to God's word against the lure of extraordinary personal gain, setting the stage for his subsequent choices and the miraculous interventions of God.

Numbers 22 17 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): A conjunctive particle often meaning "for," "because," or "indeed." Here, it introduces the reason for Balak's persistence and the specific details of his enticing offer. It signifies that what follows is the grand incentive.
• I will surely greatly honor (כַבֵּד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ מְאֹד - kabbēd 'ăkabbēdəkā mə’ōḏ): This is a powerful, emphatic statement.
  • kabbēd (כַבֵּד): From the root כָּבֵד (kābēd), meaning "heavy," "weighty," which expands to "significant," "glorious," "honorable," or "rich." In the Piel stem, as here, it means "to honor" or "to glorify."
  • ’ăkabbēdəkā (אֲכַבֶּדְךָ): The first-person singular imperfect form of the Piel stem, meaning "I will honor you."
  • The repetition of the root (kabbēd as an infinitive absolute before the finite verb ’ăkabbēdəkā) creates an emphatic sense, literally "honoring I will honor you." It signifies a very intense and certain act of bestowing honor.
  • mə’ōḏ (מְאֹד): An adverb meaning "greatly," "exceedingly," "very." This word further intensifies the promise, indicating that the honor bestowed would be far beyond the ordinary. In ancient Near Eastern context, "honor" would often include social status, political power, influence, and wealth. Balak is not just promising respect, but significant standing.
• and do whatever you ask me (וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־תְּדַבֵּר אֵלַי אֶעֱשֶׂה - wəḵōl 'ăšer-təḏabbēr 'ēlāy 'e‘ĕśeh):
  • wəḵōl (וְכֹל): "And all" or "whatever." This makes the offer completely open-ended, suggesting no limit to the rewards Balaam could receive.
  • ’ăšer-təḏabbēr 'ēlāy (אֲשֶׁר־תְּדַבֵּר אֵלַי): "that which you speak to me," or "what you tell me." It signifies that Balaam would only need to vocalize his desires.
  • ’e‘ĕśeh (אֶעֱשֶׂה): "I will do," from the verb עָשָׂה (‘āśāh). This is Balak's firm commitment to fulfilling every request, highlighting the king's desperation and the immense value he placed on Balaam’s services. This could imply wealth, land, positions of authority, anything Balaam might wish for.
• come therefore (וּלְכָה־נָּא - ūləḵā-nā’):
  • ūləḵā (וּלְכָה): "And come" or "so come." It’s an imperative, a direct summons.
  • nā’ (נָּא): An enclitic particle conveying urgency or entreaty, like "please" or "now." It shows Balak's impatience and pressing desire for Balaam to accept.
• curse (קָבָה - qābāh): From the verb קָבַב (qābab), specifically meaning "to curse," "to doom," "to denounce." This is the precise, crucial action Balak demands. He does not ask for a generic act of spiritual warfare, but a direct curse against Israel, a binding pronouncement he believes will weaken them. This word is significant because Balaam’s entire conflict revolves around his inability to utter this specific curse.
• this people for me (לִּי אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה - lî ’eṯ-hā‘ām hazzâ):
  • lî (לִּי): "For me." This specifies that the curse is not just general, but is requested for Balak's benefit and against his perceived enemies.
  • ’eṯ-hā‘ām hazzâ (אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה): "This people." Clearly refers to the Israelites. Balak points directly to them as the target.

Words-group analysis:

• "For I will surely greatly honor you and do whatever you ask me": This phrase showcases the extreme and unconditional nature of Balak's bribe. It goes beyond mere money, extending to complete patronage and fulfilment of all desires, appealing to every conceivable human ambition for status, power, and wealth. This open-ended offer aims to overcome any moral or spiritual resistance Balaam might have. It reflects a typical ancient Near Eastern royal enticement strategy where the king holds absolute power over granting status and fortune.
• "come therefore, curse this people for me": This is Balak's desperate and concise command, stripping away all pleasantries and getting straight to the point. It starkly reveals his purpose and the central conflict of the narrative: Balak's belief in the efficacy of magical curses versus God's sovereign protection of His chosen people. The request "for me" highlights Balak's personal interest in this divine intervention for military gain. This immediate shift from an offer of unlimited power and honor to a direct command emphasizes the expected reciprocal action.

Numbers 22 17 Bonus section

The "honor" and "riches" promised to Balaam in this verse would have been highly significant in the ancient world, potentially including control over cities, land, vast amounts of silver and gold, and a seat of power within Moab's hierarchy. This goes beyond a simple payment; it's an offer of integration into a royal structure. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet from Mesopotamia (likely Pethor on the Euphrates), would have recognized this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for social mobility and immense power, akin to becoming a prime minister or a major vassal ruler. The fact that he was willing to entertain it, even after previous divine prohibition, points to a strong internal covetousness that 2 Peter and Jude later condemn as "the way of Balaam." The emphasis on "cursing for me" indicates a transactional belief system where divine power could be bought and directed for personal or nationalistic gain, directly contrasting with the monotheistic understanding of God's unassailable will for Israel.

Numbers 22 17 Commentary

Numbers 22:17 encapsulates Balak’s escalating and increasingly desperate attempts to manipulate Balaam into cursing Israel. It's the king's ultimate temptation, appealing directly to the deep-seated human desire for power, fame, and wealth. Balak, representing pagan worldview, believes a powerful diviner like Balaam can override divine will or influence destinies through ritual curses, a concept strongly rebuked throughout this narrative by God's sovereignty. The intensity of Balak's offer – an open cheque of "honor" and unlimited wishes – starkly highlights Balaam's internal conflict. While Balaam outwardly maintains his fidelity to God's word (as seen in v. 18 and later prophecies), this overwhelming enticement undeniably tested his resolve and later contributed to his "love of gain" and tragic downfall. The verse sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention to demonstrate that human attempts to curse God’s elect are futile, as only God’s word prevails.

Examples:

• The seduction of worldly success: This verse is a timeless reminder of how enticing earthly promotions, riches, or influence can be, especially when they demand a compromise of one's convictions.
• The struggle of obedience: It mirrors the difficult choice individuals sometimes face between direct obedience to God's revealed will and the glittering promises of worldly rewards for disobedience.
• God's ultimate control: Ultimately, Balak's grand offer, however compelling, could not negate God's protective will for Israel, illustrating that divine purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes or covetousness.