Numbers 23:28
Numbers 23:28 in Multiple Translations
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, looking down over the waste land.
Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which looks down on the wastelands.
So Balak brought Balaam vnto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Ieshmon.
And Balak taketh Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness,
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, that looketh towards Jeshimon.
And when he had brought him upon the top of mount Phogor, which looketh towards the wilderness,
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor Mountain where they could look down and see the Israelis in the desert.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 23:28
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 23:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקַּ֥ח
בָּלָ֖ק
אֶת
בִּלְעָ֑ם
רֹ֣אשׁ
הַ/פְּע֔וֹר
הַ/נִּשְׁקָ֖ף
עַל
פְּנֵ֥י
הַ/יְשִׁימֹֽן
וַ/יִּקַּ֥ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּלָ֖ק
Bâlâq
H1111
Balak
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בִּלְעָ֑ם
Bilʻâm
H1109
Balaam
N-proper
רֹ֣אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms
הַ/פְּע֔וֹר
Pᵉʻôwr
H6465
Peor
Art | N-proper
הַ/נִּשְׁקָ֖ף
shâqaph
H8259
to look
Art | V-Niphal
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
פְּנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
הַ/יְשִׁימֹֽן
yᵉshîymôwn
H3452
wilderness
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 23:28
וַ/יִּקַּ֥ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
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.
בָּלָ֖ק
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.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בִּלְעָ֑ם
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.
רֹ֣אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
הַ/פְּע֔וֹר
Pᵉʻôwr
H6465
"Peor"
Art | N-proper
Peor is a mountain east of the Jordan River, where the idol Baal Peor was worshipped. It is near Pisgah in the Abarim range of Moab.
Definition: § Peor = "cleft" a mountain peak in Moab belonging to the Abarim range and near Pisgah
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Peor. See also H1047 (בֵּית פְּעוֹר). See also: Numbers 23:28; Numbers 31:16; Joshua 22:17.
הַ/נִּשְׁקָ֖ף
shâqaph
H8259
"to look"
Art | V-Niphal
To look means to gaze or peep out, like looking out a window. It can also mean to overlook or gaze down, as in Psalm 14 where God looks down on humanity to see their ways.
Definition: 1) to overlook, look down or out, overhang, look out and down 1a) (Niphal) to lean over (and look), look down 1b) (Hiphil) to look down, look down upon
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: appear, look (down, forth, out). See also: Genesis 18:16; 2 Kings 9:30; Psalms 14:2.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פְּנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הַ/יְשִׁימֹֽן
yᵉshîymôwn
H3452
"wilderness"
Art | N-ms
Jeshimon, or wilderness, refers to a desolate or empty place, often a desert. It is a place of solitude and emptiness, as described in the Bible.
Definition: waste, wilderness, desert, desolate place
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: desert, Jeshimon, solitary, wilderness. See also: Numbers 21:20; 1 Samuel 26:3; Psalms 68:8.
Study Notes — Numbers 23:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 23:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:28
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 23:28
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
- Sermons on Numbers 23:28
Context — Balaam’s Second Oracle
26But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
27“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”
28And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
29Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” 30So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 21:20 | and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland. |
| 2 | Psalms 106:28 | They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. |
Numbers 23:28 Summary
In Numbers 23:28, Balak takes Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland, in an attempt to find a place where God will allow Balaam to curse the Israelites. This shows how Balak is trying to use Balaam to get what he wants, rather than following God's will. As Christians, we can learn from this story by remembering to trust in God's sovereignty, rather than trying to manipulate circumstances to achieve our own desires, as seen in Romans 11:33-36, where Paul praises God's wisdom and sovereignty. We should also be careful not to compromise our values and follow the requests of others, rather than standing firm on God's Word, as seen in Acts 5:29, where the apostles say 'We must obey God rather than human beings!'
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Balak take Balaam to the top of Peor?
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, as stated in Numbers 23:28, in an attempt to find a location where God would allow Balaam to curse the Israelites, as seen in Numbers 23:27, where he says 'Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.'
What is the significance of the top of Peor?
The top of Peor, as mentioned in Numbers 23:28, overlooks the wasteland, which may symbolize the spiritual barrenness of the Moabites, as contrasted with the flourishing people of God, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:7-10, where God describes the Promised Land as a land of abundance.
Is Balaam still trying to follow God's will in this verse?
Balaam had previously stated his commitment to following God's will, as seen in Numbers 23:26, where he says 'Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?' However, his actions in Numbers 23:28, going to the top of Peor at Balak's request, may indicate a wavering in his commitment, as he is still seeking a way to curse the Israelites, despite God's clear instructions to the contrary, as seen in Numbers 22:12 and Numbers 22:20.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story?
This verse, Numbers 23:28, is part of the larger story of Balaam and Balak, as seen in Numbers 22-24, where Balaam is attempting to curse the Israelites, but is consistently thwarted by God, as seen in Numbers 23:11-12, where Balaam says 'The LORD has blessed them, and I cannot reverse it.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have tried to 'find a better vantage point' to achieve my own desires, rather than following God's will?
- How can I, like Balaam, be tempted to compromise my values and follow the requests of others, rather than standing firm on God's Word?
- What are some 'wastelands' in my life that need to be transformed by God's presence and power, as seen in Isaiah 35:1-2, where the desert blossoms?
- How can I, like Balaam, learn to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, rather than trying to manipulate circumstances to achieve my own ends, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:28
And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor,.... The name of an high mountain in Moab, so called from a gap or opening in it; here the idol Baal was worshipped, and from hence had the name of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:28
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
Peor, a high place called Beth-peor, , i.e. the house or temple of Peer, because there they worshipped Baal-peor.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
Numbers 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.Ver. 28. Unto the top of Peor.] An idolatrous and therefore most unlikely place.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
(28) Unto the top of Peor.—Mount Peor was one peak of the northern part of the mountains of Abarim. It was nearer than the other heights to the camp of the Israelites. It looked toward, or over the face of Jeshimon, i.e., the waste (or, desert). See Numbers 21:20.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
Verse 28. Unto the top of Peor] Probably the place where the famous Baal-peor had his chief temple. He appears to have been the Priapus of the Moabites, and to have been worshipped with the same obscene and abominable rites.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:28
28. the top of the Peor &c.] An expression exactly parallel to that in Numbers 21:20 (see note). The site of ‘the Peor’ is unknown, but it was evidently in the neighbourhood of the Pisgah. And Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29; Deuteronomy 4:46; Deuteronomy 34:6, Joshua 13:20) cannot have been far distant, since it was evidently a sanctuary where the Baal or Lord of Peor (Numbers 25:3; Numbers 25:5) was worshipped. The LXX. equivalent for Peor is Phogôr; and Eusebius speaks of a mountain of that name opposite Jericho, and says that part of it was 7 miles from Heshbon. It should probably, therefore, be placed quite close to the Wady Ḥ ?eshbân .
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 23:28
The position of Peor northward from Pisgah, along the Abarim heights, is approximately determined by the extant notices of Beth-peor.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 23:28
28. Peor — Near to Beth-peor, a town of the Reubenites, (Joshua 13:20, note,) was one of the northern peaks of Abarim. “This point answers admirably to Professor Paine’s Pisgah, Mount Siaghah.Numbers 21:20, note.
Sermons on Numbers 23:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Phinehas - Priest of Obedience by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a passage from the book of Numbers in the Bible. They raise questions about the conduct of Moses and the Israelites when they engaged in imm |