Numbers 22:6 - Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

Generated Verse: Numbers 22:6

What does "Numbers 22:6" mean?


This verse, Numbers 22:6, expresses the request of Balak, the king of Moab, to Balaam, a diviner. Let's break it down:

"Please come now therefore curse me this people..." Balak is asking Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. He sees them as a threat to his own people and kingdom.

"...for they are too mighty for me." Balak acknowledges that the Israelites are too powerful for him to defeat on his own. He believes they pose a significant military threat.

"Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land..." Balak hopes that if Balaam curses the Israelites, it will weaken them, making them vulnerable to attack. His ultimate goal is to defeat them and force them out of the region.

"...for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” This is the key to Balak's request. He believes that Balaam has the power to bless or curse people with real, tangible effects. Balak is banking on Balaam's reputation as someone whose words have divine power. Balak trusts that Balaam's curse will bring about the downfall of the Israelites.

In essence, Balak is trying to use supernatural means (a curse) to overcome what he perceives as a military disadvantage. He believes that Balaam's curse will be the deciding factor in his conflict with the Israelites.

Context is important here:

The Israelites had just defeated the Amorites and taken their land. This caused fear and anxiety among the Moabites.
Balak was desperate to find a way to protect his kingdom.
Balaam was a well-known diviner or sorcerer with a reputation for having powerful blessings and curses.

The verse sets the stage for the rest of the story in Numbers 22-24, where God intervenes to prevent Balaam from cursing Israel and ultimately forces him to bless them instead. The story is a powerful illustration of God's protection over his chosen people and the futility of trying to thwart his plans.