Numbers 23:28
New International Version
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

New Living Translation
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

English Standard Version
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert.

Berean Standard Bible
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

King James Bible
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

New King James Version
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks the wasteland.

New American Standard Bible
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert.

NASB 1995
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland.

NASB 1977
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland.

Amplified Bible
So Balak brought Balaam to the top of [Mount] Peor, that overlooks the wasteland.

Christian Standard Bible
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

American Standard Version
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.

Contemporary English Version
So he took Balaam to Mount Peor overlooking the desert north of the Dead Sea.

English Revised Version
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which overlooks Jeshimon.

Good News Translation
So he took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor overlooking the desert.

International Standard Version
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which overlooks the open wilderness.

Majority Standard Bible
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

NET Bible
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward the wilderness.

New Heart English Bible
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, that looketh towards Jeshimon.

World English Bible
Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Balak takes Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness,

Young's Literal Translation
And Balak taketh Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Balak will take Balaam to the head of Peor, projecting upon the face of the desert.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had brought him upon the top of mount Phogor, which looketh towards the wilderness,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had led him on to the top of mount Peor, which looks out toward the wilderness,

New American Bible
So he took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks Jeshimon.

New Revised Standard Version
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward Ashimon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Balaq took Balaam to the top of Peor that appears opposite Ashimon.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Balac took Balaam to the top of Phogor, which extends to the wilderness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balaam's Second Oracle
27“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.” 28And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland. 29Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 34:1-4
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead as far as Dan, / all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, / the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho (the City of Palms) all the way to Zoar. ...

Joshua 13:3
from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;

Ezekiel 20:29
So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)

Isaiah 14:13-14
You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

2 Kings 17:10
They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

1 Kings 11:7
At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites.

Jeremiah 7:31
They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.

2 Chronicles 28:3
Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

Psalm 78:58
They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.

Hosea 4:13
They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Luke 4:5-6
Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. / “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.

Revelation 21:10
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,

Mark 9:2
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.

Matthew 17:1
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.


Treasury of Scripture

And Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward Jeshimon.

Jerhimon

Numbers 21:20
And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.

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Balaam Desert Jeshimon Looks Overlooking Overlooks Peor Pe'or Surface Top Towards Waste Wasteland Wilderness
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Balaam Desert Jeshimon Looks Overlooking Overlooks Peor Pe'or Surface Top Towards Waste Wasteland Wilderness
Numbers 23
1. Balak's sacrifices














And Balak took Balaam
This phrase introduces the key figures in this narrative: Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, a prophet. The Hebrew root for "took" (לָקַח, laqach) often implies a sense of leading or guiding with purpose. Balak's actions are driven by a desire to manipulate spiritual forces against Israel. Historically, Balak's desperation reflects the fear of Moabites towards the Israelites, who were advancing through the region. This interaction underscores the tension between divine will and human attempts to control it.

to the top of Peor
The "top of Peor" refers to a high place associated with the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity. The Hebrew word "Peor" (פְּעוֹר) is linked to a location known for its idolatrous practices. Archaeological findings suggest that high places were often used for pagan worship, indicating Balak's intent to leverage spiritual power from this site. This setting highlights the contrast between the pagan practices of the surrounding nations and the monotheistic faith of Israel.

which overlooks the wasteland
The term "overlooks" (נִשְׁקָף, nishkaf) suggests a vantage point, providing a broad view of the surrounding area. The "wasteland" (יְשִׁימֹן, yeshimon) refers to a desolate, uninhabited region. This imagery of barrenness contrasts with the promise of a fertile land given to Israel by God. Scripturally, the wasteland can symbolize spiritual desolation, a stark reminder of the emptiness of life apart from God's blessing. This setting serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama, where God's sovereignty will be demonstrated despite human schemes.

(28) Unto the top of Peor.--Mount Peor was one peak of the northern part of the mountains of Abarim. It was nearer than the other heights to the camp of the Israelites. It looked toward, or over the face of Jeshimon, i.e., the waste (or, desert). See Numbers 21:20.

Verse 28. - Unto the top of Peer. On the meaning of Peer see on chapter Numbers 25:3. This Peer was a summit of the Abarim ranges northwards from Pisgah, and nearer to the Israelites. The adjacent village, Beth-Peer, was near the place of Moses' burial (Deuteronomy 34:6). From the phrase used in Deuteronomy 3:29; Deuteronomy 4:46, with which the testimony of Eusebius agrees, it must have lain almost opposite Jericho on the heights behind the Arboth Moab. From Peer, therefore, the whole encampment, in all its length and breadth, would lie beneath their gaze. Jeshi-men. See on Numbers 21:20.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Balak
בָּלָ֖ק (bā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

took
וַיִּקַּ֥ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

Balaam
בִּלְעָ֑ם (bil·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet

to the top
רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of Peor,
הַפְּע֔וֹר (hap·pə·‘ō·wr)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6465: Peor -- a mountain in Moab, also a god worshiped there

which overlooks
הַנִּשְׁקָ֖ף (han·niš·qāp̄)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8259: To overhang, look out or down

the wasteland.
הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃ (hay·šî·mōn)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3452: Waste, wilderness


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OT Law: Numbers 23:28 Balak took Balaam to the top (Nu Num.)
Numbers 23:27
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