Numbers 23:11
Numbers 23:11 in Multiple Translations
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”
And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
Then Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I sent for you so that my haters might be cursed, and see, you have given them a blessing.
Then Balak complained to Balaam, “What on earth have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and now look! All you have done is bless them!”
Then Balak saide vnto Balaam, What hast thou done vnto mee? I tooke thee to curse mine enemies, and beholde, thou hast blessed them altogether.
And Balak saith unto Balaam, 'What hast thou done to me? to pierce mine enemies I have taken thee — and lo, thou hast certainly blessed;'
Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether.”
And Balak said to Balaam, What hast thou done to me? I took thee to curse my enemies, and behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
And Balac said to Balaam: What is this that thou dost? I sent for thee to curse my enemies: and thou contrariwise blessest them.
Then Balak said, “What have you done to me [RHQ]? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but instead you have ◄blessed them/asked Yahweh to bless them►!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 23:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 23:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
בָּלָק֙
אֶל
בִּלְעָ֔ם
מֶ֥ה
עָשִׂ֖יתָ
לִ֑/י
לָ/קֹ֤ב
אֹיְבַ/י֙
לְקַחְתִּ֔י/ךָ
וְ/הִנֵּ֖ה
בֵּרַ֥כְתָּ
בָרֵֽךְ
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּלָק֙
Bâlâq
H1111
Balak
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בִּלְעָ֔ם
Bilʻâm
H1109
Balaam
N-proper
מֶ֥ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
עָשִׂ֖יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
לִ֑/י
Prep | Suff
לָ/קֹ֤ב
qâbab
H6895
to curse
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֹיְבַ/י֙
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal | Suff
לְקַחְתִּ֔י/ךָ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
וְ/הִנֵּ֖ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
בֵּרַ֥כְתָּ
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Perf-2ms
בָרֵֽךְ
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Ptc
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 23:11
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
בָּלָק֙
Bâlâq
H1111
"Balak"
N-proper
Balak was a king of Moab who hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, as told in Numbers 22:2. His name means devastator, reflecting his role as a king who sought to harm God's people.
Definition: A man of the Moabites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.2; son of: Zippor (H6834) Also named: Balak (Βαλάκ "Balak" G0904) § Balak = "devastator" a king of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: Balak. See also: Numbers 22:2; Numbers 23:7; Micah 6:5.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בִּלְעָ֔ם
Bilʻâm
H1109
"Balaam"
N-proper
Balaam was a prophet from Mesopotamia, also the name of a place in Palestine. He is known for trying to curse the Israelites in the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.5; son of: Beor (H1160H) Also named: Balaam (Βαλαάμ "Balaam" G0903) § Balaam = "not of the people" the son of Beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Balaam, Bileam. See also: Numbers 22:5; Numbers 23:2; Micah 6:5.
מֶ֥ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
עָשִׂ֖יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לִ֑/י
""
Prep | Suff
לָ/קֹ֤ב
qâbab
H6895
"to curse"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To curse means to speak badly of someone, as seen in Job 1:5 and 2:5. It involves using words to harm or malign, similar to stabbing with words.
Definition: 1) to curse, utter a curse against 1a) (Qal) to curse
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, curse. See also: Numbers 22:11; Numbers 23:13; Job 5:3.
אֹיְבַ/י֙
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
לְקַחְתִּ֔י/ךָ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
וְ/הִנֵּ֖ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
בֵּרַ֥כְתָּ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Perf-2ms
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
בָרֵֽךְ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Ptc
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
Study Notes — Numbers 23:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 23:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 23:11
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:11
- Sermons on Numbers 23:11
Context — Balaam’s First Oracle
9For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.
10Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”
11Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”
12But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?” 13Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 13:2 | because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). |
| 2 | Numbers 24:10 | Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. |
| 3 | Numbers 22:17 | for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’” |
| 4 | Psalms 109:17–20 | The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. May it be like a robe wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him. May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers, to those who speak evil against me. |
| 5 | Numbers 23:7–8 | And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced? |
| 6 | Numbers 22:11 | ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” |
Numbers 23:11 Summary
In this verse, Balak is upset with Balaam because he was supposed to curse the Israelites, but instead, he blessed them. This shows that God is in control and that His plans cannot be changed by human efforts, as seen in Romans 11:33-34. We can learn from this that trying to manipulate or control God's plans will ultimately fail, and instead, we should seek to align ourselves with His will, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:10. By surrendering to God's sovereignty, we can experience His blessings and peace in our lives, just like the Israelites did in this story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Balak bring Balaam to curse the Israelites?
Balak brought Balaam to curse the Israelites because he was afraid of their large numbers and wanted to defeat them, as seen in Numbers 22:6, but God had other plans, as Balaam could only speak what the Lord put in his mouth, as mentioned in Numbers 23:12.
What was Balaam's role in this situation?
Balaam was a prophet who was supposed to curse the Israelites, but instead, he blessed them, showing that God was in control and Balaam was just a vessel for His words, similar to what the prophet Jeremiah experienced in Jeremiah 1:9-10.
How did Balak react to Balaam's blessing of the Israelites?
Balak was angry and frustrated with Balaam because he had expected him to curse the Israelites, not bless them, as seen in Numbers 23:11, and he tried to persuade Balaam to change his words, but Balaam remained faithful to God's message.
What can we learn from Balak's mistake?
We can learn that trying to manipulate or control God's plans will ultimately fail, as seen in Proverbs 19:21, and instead, we should seek to align ourselves with God's will, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:10.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when God's plans do not align with my expectations, and what can I learn from Balak's mistake?
- In what ways can I, like Balaam, be a vessel for God's words and blessings in my own life and the lives of those around me?
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to control the outcome, and how can I surrender them to God's sovereignty?
- How can I, like Balaam, remain faithful to God's message, even when faced with opposition or pressure to compromise?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:11
And Balak said unto Balaam, what hast thou done unto me?.... Or "for me" (f); nothing at all, to answer his purpose, or his end in sending for him; I took thee to curse mine enemies: so he calls the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:11
And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:11
Numbers 23:11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed [them] altogether.Ver. 11. What hast thou done unto me.] Hereby it appears that Balak, in serving of God by building altars and offering sacrifices, did but serve himself upon God; as Ephraim bore "fruit to himself"; and "Did ye fast to me, even to me?"
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 23:11
(11) Thou hast blessed them altogether.—Hebrew, Thou hast blessed, to bless: an emphatic mode of stating that Balaam had continued to give utterance to nothing but blessings.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:11
11–17. Balak was angry that Jehovah did not put a curse into Balaam’s mouth, and begged him to try again on another spot. The seven-fold sacrifice was again offered.
Sermons on Numbers 23:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Third Commandment by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the gravity of the Third Commandment, which instructs believers not to take the name of the Lord in vain. He explains that this commandment calls for sincere, |
|
God at War With Flesh by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The preacher emphasizes that the outcome of the battle was not dependent on Joshua's abilities, but ra |
|
Heaven's View of Our Failures by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Balaam and the Israelites in the book of Numbers. Balaam, a prophet, sees a vision from God and falls down in awe. He describes |
|
Balaam- Hired of Balak and Used of God by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby explores the narrative of Balaam and Balak, emphasizing how God's sovereignty turns the wicked intentions of Balaam into a means of blessing for Israel. Despite B |