Numbers 22 40

Numbers 22:40 kjv

And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

Numbers 22:40 nkjv

Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

Numbers 22:40 niv

Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him.

Numbers 22:40 esv

And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.

Numbers 22:40 nlt

where the king sacrificed cattle and sheep. He sent portions of the meat to Balaam and the officials who were with him.

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 40 Meaning

Numbers 22:40 describes Balaam's action upon his arrival at Balak's side: he performed a large sacrifice of oxen and sheep, distributing portions of the meat to Balak and his Moabite princes. This act served multiple purposes within the ancient Near Eastern context, including: ritual preparation for divination or seeking divine favor, establishing a strong bond and shared commitment between Balaam and the Moabite king and his officials, and a celebratory feast marking the initiation of their collaboration against Israel. It signals Balaam's full engagement with Balak's request and the commencement of his prophetic/divining mission.

Numbers 22 40 Context

Numbers 22:40 is situated within the narrative of Balak, the king of Moab, attempting to curse the Israelites through the renowned diviner Balaam. Fearing the approaching Israelite horde after their victory over the Amorites, Balak seeks a spiritual remedy. He sends envoys to Mesopotamia to hire Balaam to pronounce a curse. Despite Yahweh's initial prohibitions, Balaam eventually travels to Moab after being further enticed and receiving conditional permission from God, contingent on speaking only what God permits. The verse specifically marks Balaam's grand arrival at one of Balak's cities, Kiriath-huzoth (verse 39). The elaborate sacrifice and sharing of meat immediately follow Balak's reception of Balaam, setting a festive and ritualistic tone for their subsequent collaboration. This act serves to solidify the alliance and prepare for the core mission of attempting to curse Israel from various vantage points, culminating in the first of Balaam's four oracles in chapter 23.

Numbers 22 40 Word analysis

• And Balaam (וַיְבַקֵּר בִּלְעָם, vayəbaqqēr Bilʻām): "Balaam" (Bilʻam) is a well-known diviner from Pethor of Aram Naharaim, beyond the Euphrates. His name's etymology is debated, possibly related to "devourer" or "not of the people." He is not an Israelite prophet but an international figure who God interacts with directly. His involvement highlights Yahweh's sovereignty over all nations and even non-Yahwistic religious figures.
• sacrificed (וַיִּזְבַּח, vayyizbaḥ): From the verb זָבַח (zābaḥ), "to slaughter for sacrifice," "to kill," "to offer." This implies a solemn, often religious act common in ancient Near Eastern (ANE) worship to invoke divine presence or blessing, establish communion, or consecrate an endeavor. For Balaam, it was a traditional pre-divination ritual and a way to cement his relationship with Balak.
• oxen (בָּקָר, bāqār): Refers to cattle, a herd. These were valuable and substantial animals, often reserved for significant offerings or large feasts. Their inclusion underscores the importance and scale of the occasion.
• and sheep (וְצֹאן, vəṣōn): Refers to flocks of sheep and/or goats. Together with oxen, this represents a considerable quantity of livestock, signifying wealth, abundance, and the seriousness of the event.
• and sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח, vayyišlaḥ): From the verb שָׁלַח (šālaḥ), "to send," "to dispatch," "to extend." In this context, it implies dispatching portions of the sacrificial meat to specific individuals, suggesting a formal distribution for consumption in a communal feast. This was a customary practice for host and guest, a diplomatic gesture cementing alliances.
• to Balak (לְבָלָק, ləḇālāq): "Balak" (Bālāq) means "devastator" or "waster," a fitting name for the fearful Moabite king. Balaam's sacrifice is primarily for Balak, highlighting his fealty and professional service.
• and to the princes (וְלַשָּׂרִים, vəlaššārîm): Refers to Moabite officials, commanders, or chiefs. Their inclusion in receiving portions of the sacrifice signifies their high status and the broad scope of this diplomatic and religious act within Moab's leadership.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Balaam sacrificed oxen and sheep": This act is immediately following his arrival, serving as a significant ceremonial act. It wasn't merely a private meal; it was a large, ritual slaughter indicative of a professional diviner's preparation for spiritual work, perhaps to gain divine favor or create an auspicious atmosphere for prophecy. It demonstrates his professional commitment to Balak's mission using his accustomed methods.
• "and sent to Balak and to the princes who were with him": This is more than a gift; it's a formal distribution of meat from the shared sacrifice. Such communal feasting in the ANE sealed covenants, alliances, and fostered solidarity. By sharing this ritual meal, Balaam and Balak were forging a deep, symbolic bond. It foreshadows the danger to Israel that would come from being entangled in pagan sacrifices, as Balaam would later counsel the Moabites to entice Israel through such shared feasts (Num 25, 31).

Numbers 22 40 Bonus section

The type of sacrifice performed by Balaam here is not a prescribed Israelite offering. Instead, it reflects general ancient Near Eastern ritual practices, where large-scale sacrifices often preceded important undertakings, divinations, or treaty ceremonies. Kings would frequently sponsor such events to honor foreign dignities or seek favorable omens. The participation in these sacrificial meals formed a strong social and spiritual bond, indicating fellowship and mutual commitment. This concept is vital for understanding Revelation 2:14, which identifies "eating food sacrificed to idols" as part of Balaam's "teaching." Therefore, the very act in Numbers 22:40, seemingly innocent to an ANE audience, subtly lays the groundwork for the future spiritual downfall that Balaam orchestrated for Israel through this very mechanism of pagan feasts.

Numbers 22 40 Commentary

Numbers 22:40 is more than a simple culinary note; it's a profound cultural and religious statement that sets the stage for the drama of Balaam's prophecies. The sacrifice of oxen and sheep, animals representing substantial wealth, highlights the high stakes of Balak's mission and the lavishness with which Balaam was received. This act served as Balaam's official, ceremonial entry into Balak's service, mirroring typical ANE practices where divination often commenced with sacrificial offerings to deities. It was a formal pre-divination ritual and a political-diplomatic move, cementing the professional and social bond between Balaam and the Moabite elite through a shared meal.

This shared sacrificial meal foreshadows the deeper theological issues presented later in the book of Numbers and in the New Testament. While appearing as a neutral or traditional gesture, such pagan sacrifices were considered abominable to Yahweh. The act of sharing these meats with Balak and his princes solidifies a corrupt alliance—an alliance designed to oppose God's chosen people. Ultimately, Balaam’s counsel, later revealed in Numbers 31:16 and highlighted in Revelation 2:14, instructs Balak to ensnare the Israelites by luring them into these very types of pagan sacrificial feasts and their associated immoralities. Thus, this verse lays the groundwork for understanding the "stumbling block" that Balaam would place before Israel, emphasizing the danger of mingling with idolatrous practices.