📖 Numbers — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Numbers 23:1 And Balaam said unto Balak, RBuild me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
Numbers 23:2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam Roffered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy Rburnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went Tto an high place.
Numbers 23:4 And RGod met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
Numbers 23:5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
Numbers 23:6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
Numbers 23:7 And Rhe took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
Numbers 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
Numbers 23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall Rdwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
Numbers 23:10 Who Rcan count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let Tme die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
Numbers 23:11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
Numbers 23:12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
Numbers 23:13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the Rutmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.
Numbers 23:14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of RTPisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
Numbers 23:15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.
Numbers 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
Numbers 23:17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, RWhat hath the LORD spoken?
Numbers 23:18 And he took up his parable, and said, RRise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
Numbers 23:19 RGod is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and Rhe hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Numbers 23:21 He Rhath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
Numbers 23:22 RGod brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
Numbers 23:23 Surely there is Rno enchantment Tagainst Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
Numbers 23:24 Behold, the people shall rise up Ras a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
Numbers 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
Numbers 23:27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; Rperadventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
Numbers 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward RJeshimon.
Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 23:1–12 — The First Blessing
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Seven altars are prepared, with a bullock and ram on each. The LORD gives Balaam the words he is to speak, and Balaam blesses Israel rather than cursing them. Balak objects, but Balaam says he must speak what the LORD puts in his mouth.
Key Truth: Balaam's spoken message follows the word given by the LORD.
Check What You Remember
1. How many altars were prepared? (Numbers 23:1)
Find it in Numbers 23:1 (KJV).
2. Name both animals offered on each altar. (Numbers 23:2)
Find it in Numbers 23:2 (KJV).
3. Who put a word in Balaam's mouth? (Numbers 23:5)
Find it in Numbers 23:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 23:13–26 — A Blessing That Cannot Be Reversed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Balak tries another location. Balaam declares that God does not lie and that he cannot reverse God's blessing. The message recalls deliverance from Egypt and speaks of Israel's strength. Balak again objects, and Balaam repeats his obligation to the LORD's word.
Key Truth: The LORD's blessing cannot be changed by Balak's demand.
Check What You Remember
1. Does verse 19 say God lies like a man? (Numbers 23:19)
Find it in Numbers 23:19 (KJV).
2. Could Balaam reverse the blessing? (Numbers 23:20)
Find it in Numbers 23:20 (KJV).
3. From which land had God brought Israel? (Numbers 23:22)
Find it in Numbers 23:22 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 23:27–30 — Another Place Prepared
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Balak brings Balaam to the top of Peor, hoping another place will permit the curse he wants. Seven more altars are prepared with the appointed bullocks and rams. The chapter ends with this preparation for the next message.
Key Truth: Balak continues seeking the curse despite the messages already received.
Check What You Remember
1. To the top of what place was Balaam brought? (Numbers 23:28)
Find it in Numbers 23:28 (KJV).
2. How many altars were requested there? (Numbers 23:29)
Find it in Numbers 23:29 (KJV).
3. Name both animals offered on every altar. (Numbers 23:30)
Find it in Numbers 23:30 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why does the first parable refuse the requested curse?
2. How does Balaam answer Balak’s anger at the first blessing?
3. How does the statement about God’s character support confidence in his word?
4. How does receiving a command to bless limit Balaam’s power?
5. How does Balak’s request for neither curse nor blessing meet the same boundary?
Notes
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