Numbers 23 6

Numbers 23:6 kjv

And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.

Numbers 23:6 nkjv

So he returned to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, he and all the princes of Moab.

Numbers 23:6 niv

So he went back to him and found him standing beside his offering, with all the Moabite officials.

Numbers 23:6 esv

And he returned to him, and behold, he and all the princes of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering.

Numbers 23:6 nlt

So Balaam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab.

Numbers 23 verses

Numbers 23 6 Meaning

Balaam had departed to a desolate place to receive a divine word from the Lord concerning Balak's plea to curse Israel. This verse depicts his immediate return, where he finds King Balak of Moab and his high-ranking officials waiting expectantly beside the numerous burnt offerings that had been prepared for this momentous ritual. This moment vividly sets the scene for Balaam's first divine oracle, emphasizing the palpable anticipation and the solemnity of the occasion.

Numbers 23 6 Context

Numbers 23:6 is a pivotal verse within the Balaam narrative (Numbers chapters 22-24). The Israelites' journey through Transjordan had provoked fear among the Moabites. King Balak, overwhelmed by their vast numbers, hired Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner known for his ability to bless and curse. Balak, convinced that a powerful curse from Balaam could cripple Israel, initiated an elaborate pagan ritual. Just before this verse, Balak led Balaam to the "high places of Baal," where seven altars were constructed and an extensive burnt offering was made, indicating the seriousness of their intent to influence spiritual forces. Balaam then secluded himself, instructing Balak to remain by his offerings while he went to receive a word from the Lord. Numbers 23:6 marks Balaam’s return, poised to deliver that very first divine message. Historically, Moab, east of the Dead Sea, feared the emerging Israelite nation. Balak's actions reflect the common Ancient Near Eastern belief in the power of professional seers and the efficacy of ritual sacrifice to manipulate the divine and bring about desired outcomes against enemies.

Numbers 23 6 Word analysis

• Word by word:

  • And he returned (וַיָּ֤שָׁב֙, wayyāšāḇ): Derived from the Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn back, to return." This emphasizes the completion of Balaam’s crucial interlude, where he sought counsel from the Lord. It signifies his re-entry into the immediate context to deliver a message he did not originate.
  • unto him (אֵלָיו, ’êlāw): Specifically points to Balak, indicating the person to whom Balaam was bound by agreement to report, and the one whose intentions were central to the proceedings.
  • and, lo, he stood (וְהִנֵּה נִצָּב, wəhinnēh niṣṣāḇ): "Lo" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an interjection used to draw immediate attention, signaling a significant visual moment or unexpected sight, portraying Balak’s intense eagerness. "Stood" (נִצָּב, niṣṣāḇ), from the root נצב (natsav), suggests being firmly positioned, standing fast, or being on duty. It implies Balak's unwavering and possibly impatient waiting.
  • by his burnt sacrifice (עַל־עֹלָתוֹ, ‘al-ʿōlāṯōw): From עֹלָה (`olah), a "burnt offering," which in Israelite worship was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication or atonement. In Balak's pagan context, it was part of an elaborate divinatory rite intended to appease or persuade deities for his specific purpose: cursing Israel. His presence "by" the offering signifies his active participation and investment in the ritual.
  • he, and all the princes of Moab (הוּא וְכׇל־שָׂרֵי מוֹאָב, hūʾ wəḵol-śārê Môʾāḇ): "He" underscores Balak’s personal involvement and primary role. "Princes" (שָׂרֵי, śārê) refers to the top-tier officials, chiefs, and military leaders of Moab. Their collective presence highlights the official, national, and high-stakes nature of this undertaking.
  • with him (עִמּוֹ, ‘immōw): Conveys a sense of unity and collective support from the Moabite leadership for Balak's desperate attempt to avert the perceived Israelite threat.

• Words-group by words-group:

  • And he returned unto him: This phrase marks the conclusion of Balaam's encounter with the Lord, signaling the imminence of the divine pronouncement. Balaam functions as a channel, his return demonstrating the completion of his task to gather God's word and prepare to deliver it directly to the waiting king.
  • and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice: This powerfully contrasts Balak's human-orchestrated efforts and expectant stance with the unexpected, divinely ordained reality Balaam is about to unveil. The king’s physical presence near the burnt offerings underscores his conviction in the power of these rituals to sway supernatural forces, and his desperation for a desired outcome.
  • he, and all the princes of Moab with him: This emphasizes the public spectacle and the high-level national significance of the event. The assembled Moabite leadership not only amplifies the pressure on Balaam to deliver a favorable word but also makes them collective witnesses to Yahweh's sovereign power, which transcends and nullifies Balak’s pagan machinations.

Numbers 23 6 Bonus section

This verse initiates a significant literary device in the Balaam narrative: the dramatic irony where Balak's meticulously orchestrated plans repeatedly lead to the very opposite of his desires. The detailed mention of "all the princes of Moab" underlines that this was no private consultation but a national affair, increasing the shame Balak would eventually endure and magnifying the glory of Yahweh, who would turn the expected curse into a public blessing before all the gathered leadership. Balaam’s rejoining of the expectant assembly, with the knowledge of God's unyielding stance, intensifies the tension for the audience, knowing a confrontation between human expectation and divine decree is imminent. The scene vividly contrasts Balak's pagan worldviews, where sacrifices were bargaining tools to influence gods, with the singular sovereignty of the God of Israel, who acts according to His own will, not according to man's bribes or curses.

Numbers 23 6 Commentary

Numbers 23:6 functions as a scene-setter, revealing King Balak’s impatience and the public theatricality surrounding his attempt to manipulate divine forces. Balak’s posture by the burnt sacrifices, surrounded by his princes, conveys both desperate hope and misplaced confidence in the power of ritual magic. He believes his offerings, combined with Balaam’s renowned abilities, can compel a curse against Israel. However, this tableau dramatically prefaces the unfolding revelation of divine sovereignty. While Balak had performed a ritualistic act designed to bind the divine, the verses that follow consistently demonstrate God's unyielding purpose. The core message underscored here is the absolute impotence of human rituals, particularly those rooted in pagan intent, to thwart the will of the true God. Balak expects a curse forged by his offerings and Balaam’s word, but will instead receive a blessing dictated solely by the Lord, illustrating that God's plan for His people remains unshakeable by the machinations of man or false worship.

• Practical Application Example (God's Sovereignty): In times when human efforts or opposing forces seem overwhelming, this verse reminds believers that God's divine purpose ultimately prevails over all human designs or ritualistic attempts to manipulate outcomes.
• Practical Application Example (Empty Rituals): The scene teaches that outward religious acts or grand ceremonies are of no avail if they are performed with an impure heart or to try to force God into our will, as genuine faith prioritizes obedience over mere ritual.