Numbers 23:6 - He returned to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.

Generated Verse: Numbers 23:6

What does "Numbers 23:6" mean?


This verse from Numbers 23:6, "He returned to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab," refers to a specific event in the story of Balaam and Balak. Let's break it down:

"He returned to him..." "He" is Balaam, the diviner, who had gone off to seek divine guidance. "Him" is Balak, the King of Moab, who hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam has been seeking a word from God regarding Israel.

"...and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering..." Balak is by his burnt offering. This means Balak had already made a sacrifice to try and appease whatever gods he believed would influence Balaam's curse. The burnt offering was a common way to seek favor or atonement.

"...he, and all the princes of Moab." Balak was not alone. He was surrounded by the leaders, the "princes" of Moab. They were all present, anxiously awaiting Balaam's pronouncement (curse) against Israel. Their presence indicates the significance of the event; they are all invested in Balaam's words and the perceived power he holds.

In essence, the verse depicts the scene as Balaam returns to Balak after seeking a divine word. Balak, along with all the Moabite leaders, is standing expectantly by the altar where he has made a burnt offering, ready to hear the curse they believe Balaam will pronounce on Israel. The verse underscores the importance Balak placed on Balaam's supposed powers and his desperation to protect his kingdom from the approaching Israelites.

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