Numbers 22 9

Numbers 22:9 kjv

And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

Numbers 22:9 nkjv

Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"

Numbers 22:9 niv

God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"

Numbers 22:9 esv

And God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"

Numbers 22:9 nlt

That night God came to Balaam and asked him, "Who are these men visiting you?"

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 9 Meaning

Numbers 22:9 depicts a pivotal moment where God directly intervenes and confronts Balaam. After Balak's messengers had arrived seeking Balaam's prophetic services to curse Israel, Balaam had consulted God in a prior instance. In this verse, God initiates the dialogue by inquiring about the identity of the men with Balaam, a question not for information, but to prompt Balaam to articulate the situation and to test his intentions regarding Balak's request. It signals God's absolute awareness of the circumstances and His sovereign oversight over all events.

Numbers 22 9 Context

Numbers chapter 22 begins with Israel encamped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, having conquered the Amorites. King Balak of Moab, terrified by Israel's sheer numbers and their victories, perceives them as a massive threat. Fearing a direct military confrontation, he resorts to spiritual warfare, seeking to hire Balaam, a renowned diviner and prophet from Pethor by the Euphrates River, to curse Israel. Balak believes Balaam possesses the power to curse those who prosper and bless those who triumph. In verse 8, Balaam asks Balak's first delegation to lodge overnight so he can inquire of God for guidance. This verse (Num 22:9) details God's direct response to Balaam's inquiry, indicating God's knowledge of the messengers' presence and setting the stage for the divine command regarding Israel. This interaction underscores God's active involvement in the protection of His covenant people, even by intervening with a non-Israelite prophet, and foreshadows Balaam's later struggles with obedience and greed.

Numbers 22 9 Word analysis

• And: (`waw` - וְ) A common Hebrew conjunction, signifying a direct sequence or continuation of the narrative. It connects this divine intervention directly to Balaam's preceding decision to consult the Lord.
• God: (`Elohim` - אֱלֹהִים) This is the generic but powerful name for God, emphasizing His divine authority, omnipotence, and sovereignty over all creation, including other nations and those who do not worship Him. Here, `Elohim` implies the supreme God of Israel is interacting with a non-Israelite diviner, asserting His ultimate authority even over pagan spiritual practices. It suggests a personal, direct manifestation or communication, not merely a dream or internal impression.
• came: (`va-yavo` - וַיָּבֹא) Derived from `bo` (בוא), meaning "to come, enter." The waw consecutive imperfect conjugation indicates a past action, sequentially following what preceded. This signifies an active, deliberate approach by God to Balaam, a tangible manifestation or clear auditory presence. It denotes a real, rather than a speculative, encounter.
• unto: (Implied, `el` - אֶל) Signifies direction, "to" or "towards."
• Balaam: (`Bilʻam` - בִּלְעָם) A significant character, identified as a diviner or prophet. His name might mean "devourer" or "lord of the people," or "not of the people." The fact that God interacts with Balaam, a foreign diviner, underscores God's universal sovereignty and His ability to use or speak through whomever He chooses. This engagement legitimizes Balaam as one who indeed has access to divine revelation, despite his moral flaws and profession.
• and said: (`va-yomer` - וַיֹּאמֶר) Derived from `amar` (אמר), "to say, speak." Continues the narrative sequence of God's direct communication to Balaam.
• What: (`mi` - מִי) An interrogative pronoun, asking "who?" or "what?" While a simple question, from God's perspective, it functions as a rhetorical inquiry. God, being omniscient, already knows the answer.
• men: (`ha'anashim` - הָאֲנָשִׁים) From `ish` (איש), meaning "man." The definite article `ha` indicates "the men" or "these specific men." It refers to the delegation sent by Balak.
• are these: (`ha'elleh` - הָאֵלֶּה) A demonstrative pronoun, "these ones," specifying the exact group of individuals present with Balaam.
• with thee?: (`imakh` - עִמָּךְ) From `im` (עם), "with," and the suffix `khah` for "you" (singular masculine). "With you" signifies their physical presence in Balaam's lodging, confirming God's full awareness of the situation.

Words-Group by Words-Group analysis:

• And God came unto Balaam: This phrase highlights the profound personal nature of the divine interaction. God doesn't merely send a message or an angel; He "came" Himself (or His manifest presence), signifying the gravity of the situation and the directness of His oversight concerning Israel's safety. It implies divine initiation, asserting control over Balaam's potential actions even before he speaks again. This interaction emphasizes that Balaam, despite his practices, was subject to the God of Israel.
• and said, What men are these with thee?: This rhetorical question by an omniscient God serves multiple purposes. It is not an inquiry for information but a test of Balaam's integrity and a prompt for him to state the full context of his visitors' mission. It requires Balaam to openly declare the intentions of Balak, revealing his complicity (or temptation) to accept the request. It also subtly reinforces God's omnipresence and intimate knowledge of Balaam's affairs, thereby demonstrating God's sovereign control over the unfolding events concerning His people. It implicitly communicates that God is watching Balaam's choices closely.

Numbers 22 9 Bonus section

The immediate and personal confrontation by God with Balaam demonstrates a unique aspect of divine revelation beyond covenantal boundaries. Balaam was known as a non-Israelite diviner or seer whose spiritual services were sought by a pagan king, yet God chooses to communicate directly with him. This can be seen as a polemic against the idea that God's power or communication is limited only to His chosen people or within specific religious structures. It highlights God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to use whomever He desires, even those engaged in practices bordering on sorcery, to accomplish His divine will. Balaam's prior fame, noted in Numbers 22:6 where he is acknowledged to be someone whose blessings and curses are effective, gives even greater weight to God's intervention, showing that even such a recognized spiritual authority is subservient to the one true God. The episode with Balaam also reveals the complexity of divine encounters, where knowledge of God does not automatically guarantee obedience or righteous living, particularly when tempted by worldly gain.

Numbers 22 9 Commentary

Numbers 22:9 serves as a critical turning point, marking the beginning of God's direct engagement with Balaam concerning Balak's request to curse Israel. God's act of "coming" to Balaam is significant; it underscores a personal, initiated divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereign care over His chosen people even against perceived spiritual threats from external powers. The rhetorical question, "What men are these with thee?", is not a sign of God's ignorance but a calculated strategy to elicit a confession from Balaam regarding the envoys' mission. This prompts Balaam to consciously verbalize the wicked intentions against Israel, thereby clarifying his own stance and responsibility. It sets the stage for God's subsequent command in verse 12 not to curse or go with Balak's men, making Balaam's later disobedience all the more flagrant. This divine encounter establishes God's ultimate authority over all earthly powers and prophets, regardless of their origin or reputation.