Numbers 23:30
Numbers 23:30 in Multiple Translations
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.
And Balak did as Balaam said, offering an ox and a male sheep on every altar.
Balak did what Balaam told him, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
And Balak did as Balaam had sayd, and offred a bullocke and a ram on euery altar.
and Balak doth as Balaam said, and he offereth a bullock and a ram on an altar.
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
Balac did as Balaam had said: and he laid on every altar, a calf and a ram.
So Balak did what Balaam told him to do. He burned a young bull and a ram on each altar as sacrifices.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 23:30
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 23:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֣עַשׂ
בָּלָ֔ק
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
אָמַ֣ר
בִּלְעָ֑ם
וַ/יַּ֛עַל
פָּ֥ר
וָ/אַ֖יִל
בַּ/מִּזְבֵּֽחַ
וַ/יַּ֣עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּלָ֔ק
Bâlâq
H1111
Balak
N-proper
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בִּלְעָ֑ם
Bilʻâm
H1109
Balaam
N-proper
וַ/יַּ֛עַל
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
פָּ֥ר
par
H6499
bullock
N-ms
וָ/אַ֖יִל
ʼayil
H352
ram
Conj | N-ms
בַּ/מִּזְבֵּֽחַ
mizbêach
H4196
altar
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 23:30
וַ/יַּ֣עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
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.
בָּלָ֔ק
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.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-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.
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.
וַ/יַּ֛עַל
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
פָּ֥ר
par
H6499
"bullock"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means a young bull or ox, often used as a sacrifice in the Bible. In Exodus, a bullock is used as an offering to God. The word describes a strong and powerful animal.
Definition: young bull, steer, bullock
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 22:13.
וָ/אַ֖יִל
ʼayil
H352
"ram"
Conj | N-ms
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Definition: 1) ram 1a) ram (as food) 1b) ram (as sacrifice) 1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 66:15.
בַּ/מִּזְבֵּֽחַ
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
Prep | N-ms
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
Study Notes — Numbers 23:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Balaam’s Second Oracle
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.
Numbers 23:30 Summary
In this verse, Balak is following Balaam's instructions to build altars and offer sacrifices to God, hoping to gain His favor. However, this act can be seen as an attempt to manipulate God rather than genuinely worshiping Him. As we read this verse, we can reflect on our own motivations and intentions when we come to God in prayer or worship, and remember that God desires sincere and heartfelt worship, as seen in John 4:23-24. By trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can learn to worship Him genuinely, without trying to control or manipulate Him, and instead, trust in His promise to guide and care for us, as seen in Psalm 23:1-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Balaam instruct Balak to build seven altars and offer a bull and a ram on each altar?
Balaam instructed Balak to build seven altars and offer a bull and a ram on each altar in an attempt to appease God and gain His favor, as seen in Numbers 23:29-30, similar to the instructions given to the Israelites in Leviticus 1:1-17 for making offerings to God.
What is the significance of the location where Balaam and Balak are making these offerings?
The location, the top of Peor, overlooks the wasteland and is significant because it provides a vantage point to view the Israelites, as mentioned in Numbers 23:28, and may have been chosen for its strategic view, similar to how Moses was given a glimpse of the Promised Land from a distance in Deuteronomy 34:1-6.
Is this act of offering bulls and rams a form of worship or an attempt to manipulate God?
This act can be seen as an attempt to manipulate God, as Balaam and Balak are trying to use the sacrifices to influence God's actions, rather than genuinely worshiping Him, as warned against in Proverbs 21:27, where it says that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord.
How does this event relate to the larger story of the Israelites and God's plan for them?
This event is part of the larger story of the Israelites and God's plan for them, as seen in Numbers 22-24, where Balaam's attempts to curse the Israelites are thwarted by God, demonstrating His protection and care for His people, as promised in Genesis 12:1-3 and repeated throughout the Bible.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I try to manipulate or control God's actions in my life, and how can I instead learn to trust and worship Him genuinely?
- How can I be sure that my acts of worship are sincere and not just attempts to get something from God?
- What are some 'wastelands' in my life where I feel like I'm stuck or unable to see a way forward, and how can I trust God to guide me through those times?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of my motivations and intentions when I come to God in prayer or worship, and how can I cultivate a heart of genuine worship?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:30
And Balak did as Balaam had said,.... Though the sacrifices were expensive, he did not grudge them; he spared no cost to gain his point, though he now could have but little hope of it: and offered a
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:30
Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.Ver. 30. And Balak did.] How unweariable are wicked men in their ways!