Balaam and Balak

Era: Exodus & Conquest
Date: c. 1406 BC ≈ Approximate
Reference: Numbers 22:21-35

Terrified of Israel's approach, Moab's King Balak hired the prophet Balaam to curse them, but God repeatedly turned Balaam's intended curses into blessings instead, including the famous 'star out of Jacob' prophecy of a coming ruler. On the way, Balaam's own donkey saw the angel of the LORD blocking the path with a drawn sword and refused to go forward, and when Balaam beat the animal, God opened its mouth to rebuke him before opening Balaam's own eyes to see the angel himself. The episode demonstrates that no human curse can overturn God's blessing on his people, even when pronounced by a prophet willing to sell his gift for a price.

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Did You Know?

King Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, but God turned every curse into a blessing.

Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the LORD that the prophet could not.

Out of it came the prophecy of a 'Star out of Jacob.'

Balaam is later remembered as a prophet who loved 'the wages of unrighteousness.'

Key Passage

Balaam and Balak

Numbers 22:21-35

A²¹nd Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

²² And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. ²³ And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. ²⁴ But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. ²⁵ And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. ²⁶ And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. ²⁷ And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. ²⁸ And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? ²⁹ And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. ³⁰ And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. ³¹ Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. ³² And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: ³³ And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. ³⁴ And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. ³⁵ And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Read full chapter: Numbers 22 →

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt is at the height of its New Kingdom power under pharaohs like Thutmose III and Ramesses II. The Hittite Empire controls Anatolia. The Late Bronze Age collapse is approaching. Troy exists as a real city. This is the time of the Amarna letters and international diplomacy.

When: c. 1446 - 1375 BC

Key Civilizations: New Kingdom Egypt, Hittite Empire

Biblical Parallels: Exodus 1-40 , Joshua 1-24

Balaam and Balak

Did You Know?

Key Passage

Balaam and Balak

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