Numbers 23:7 - He took up his parable, and said, “From Aram has Balak brought me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East. Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, defy Israel.
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What does "Numbers 23:7" mean?
Numbers 23:7 is part of the story of Balaam, a diviner, hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Let's break down the verse:
"He took up his parable, and said...": This is a formal introduction to Balaam's speech. The term "parable" in this context doesn't necessarily mean a moral story; it simply means a prophetic utterance, a carefully worded message.
“From Aram has Balak brought me...": Balaam is stating that Balak, the king of Moab, has summoned him from Aram (likely referring to the region of Aram-Naharaim, in Mesopotamia, Balaam's homeland). This highlights that Balaam is an outsider, brought in specifically for this task.
"...the king of Moab from the mountains of the East.": This clarifies who Balak is and emphasizes his royal status and his geographic location relative to Balaam.
"Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, defy Israel.": This is the core request. Balak wants Balaam to curse the Israelites, referred to here by their ancestral name "Jacob" and their collective name "Israel." The word "defy" means to actively challenge or speak out against. Balak believes that if Balaam can curse the Israelites through divine power, they will be weakened and easier to defeat.
In summary, this verse shows:
Balaam's origin: He's an outsider brought in for a specific purpose.
Balak's intent: He seeks to use supernatural means (Balaam's curses) to overcome the Israelites.
The core request: To curse and defy the nation of Israel, hoping to weaken them.
The significance lies in the fact that Balak believed in the power of curses and sought to use them as a weapon against Israel. The rest of the story then unfolds to show whether Balaam will be able to fulfill Balak's request and what God's will is regarding Israel.
Numbers 23:7 - He took up his parable, and said, “From Aram has Balak brought me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East. Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, defy Israel.
What does "Numbers 23:7" mean?
Numbers 23:7 is part of the story of Balaam, a diviner, hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Let's break down the verse:
"He took up his parable, and said...": This is a formal introduction to Balaam's speech. The term "parable" in this context doesn't necessarily mean a moral story; it simply means a prophetic utterance, a carefully worded message.
“From Aram has Balak brought me...": Balaam is stating that Balak, the king of Moab, has summoned him from Aram (likely referring to the region of Aram-Naharaim, in Mesopotamia, Balaam's homeland). This highlights that Balaam is an outsider, brought in specifically for this task.
"...the king of Moab from the mountains of the East.": This clarifies who Balak is and emphasizes his royal status and his geographic location relative to Balaam.
"Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, defy Israel.": This is the core request. Balak wants Balaam to curse the Israelites, referred to here by their ancestral name "Jacob" and their collective name "Israel." The word "defy" means to actively challenge or speak out against. Balak believes that if Balaam can curse the Israelites through divine power, they will be weakened and easier to defeat.
In summary, this verse shows:
Balaam's origin: He's an outsider brought in for a specific purpose.
Balak's intent: He seeks to use supernatural means (Balaam's curses) to overcome the Israelites.
The core request: To curse and defy the nation of Israel, hoping to weaken them.
The significance lies in the fact that Balak believed in the power of curses and sought to use them as a weapon against Israel. The rest of the story then unfolds to show whether Balaam will be able to fulfill Balak's request and what God's will is regarding Israel.