Numbers 23:6
Numbers 23:6 in Multiple Translations
So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.
And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
And he returned unto him, and, lo, he was standing by his burnt-offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.
So he went back to him where he was waiting by his burned offering with all the chiefs of Moab.
So he went back to Balak, who was waiting there beside his burnt offering, along with all the Moabite leaders.
So when he returned vnto him, loe, hee stoode by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.
And he turneth back unto him, and lo, he is standing by his burnt-offering, he and all the princes of Moab.
He returned to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.
And he returned to him and lo, he stood by his burnt-sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
Returning he found Balac standing by his burnt offering, with all the princes of the Moabites:
When Balaam returned to Balak, Balak was standing with the leaders from Moab beside the offerings he had burned on the altar.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 23:6
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 23:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֣שָׁב
אֵלָ֔י/ו
וְ/הִנֵּ֥ה
נִצָּ֖ב
עַל
עֹלָת֑/וֹ
ה֖וּא
וְ/כָל
שָׂרֵ֥י
מוֹאָֽב
וַ/יָּ֣שָׁב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֵלָ֔י/ו
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
וְ/הִנֵּ֥ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
נִצָּ֖ב
nâtsab
H5324
to stand
V-Niphal
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
עֹלָת֑/וֹ
ʻôlâh
H5930
burnt offering
N-fs | Suff
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
שָׂרֵ֥י
sar
H8269
ruler
N-mp
מוֹאָֽב
Môwʼâb
H4124
Moab
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 23:6
וַ/יָּ֣שָׁב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
אֵלָ֔י/ו
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
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.
וְ/הִנֵּ֥ה
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.
נִצָּ֖ב
nâtsab
H5324
"to stand"
V-Niphal
To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.
Definition: 1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand 1a2) to stand, be stationed 1a3) to stand, take an upright position 1a4) to be stationed, be appointed 1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst) 1a6) to stand firm 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to set up, erect 1b3) to cause to stand erect 1b4) to fix, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 39:6.
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.
עֹלָת֑/וֹ
ʻôlâh
H5930
"burnt offering"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Definition: whole burnt offering Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also H5766 (עֶוֶל). See also: Genesis 8:20; Numbers 15:5; 2 Chronicles 29:7.
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
שָׂרֵ֥י
sar
H8269
"ruler"
N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
מוֹאָֽב
Môwʼâb
H4124
"Moab"
N-proper
Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.
Definition: Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I) § Moab = "of his father" the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: Moab. See also: Genesis 19:37; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 60:10.
Study Notes — Numbers 23:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Balaam’s First Oracle
4and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”
5Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
6So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.
7And 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!’ 8How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?Numbers 23:6 Summary
[This verse shows us that Balaam, a prophet, obeyed God's instruction to return to Balak, even though Balak wanted him to curse God's people, Israel. Balaam's obedience is an example to us to trust and follow God's will, even when it's hard. As we see in Psalm 37:23-24, when we trust in God, He guides our steps and helps us to obey Him. By following God's will, we can experience His blessing and care in our lives, just like Israel did in the wilderness.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Balaam return to Balak after hearing from God?
Balaam returned to Balak because God instructed him to do so, as seen in Numbers 23:5, where the LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth to give to Balak.
What was Balak doing when Balaam returned to him?
Balak was standing beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab, indicating that he was waiting for Balaam to deliver a message from God, as was their custom with prophets and divination.
What can we learn from Balaam's obedience to God's instruction?
We can learn that even when we are asked to do something difficult or counter to our own desires, obedience to God's will is paramount, as seen in other biblical examples like Abraham's obedience in Genesis 12:1-4.
How does this event relate to the larger story of God's people in the Bible?
This event is part of the story of God's protection and care for His people, Israel, as seen in other passages like Deuteronomy 23:5, where God turns a curse into a blessing for them.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to obey God's instructions, even if they were difficult or unclear?
- How can I, like Balaam, learn to trust God's word and obey His commands, even when they go against my own desires or plans?
- What are some ways that I can, like Balak, be waiting and expecting to hear from God, and what are some distractions or obstacles that might keep me from hearing His voice?
- How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's sovereignty and plan for my life, and what are some areas where I need to surrender to His will?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:6
And he returned unto him,.... Immediately, as soon as he was told what to say: and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice; continued in his devotions, hoping for success, and waiting for Balaam's
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:6
And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:6
1–6. Balaam demanded a seven-fold sacrifice, in order to propitiate God, that He might be willing to give His prophet a message. Balak complied with the request, hoping that the message might be a curse.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 23:6
6. All the princes of Moab — The king and the princes faithfully watched their smoking altars, anxiously awaiting the return of the man who was reputed to have influence with Jehovah sufficient to