Numbers 23:30
New International Version
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

New Living Translation
So Balak did as Balaam ordered and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.

English Standard Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Berean Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

King James Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

New King James Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar.

New American Standard Bible
Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

NASB 1995
Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

NASB 1977
And Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Balak did just as Balaam had said and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

Amplified Bible
Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Christian Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

American Standard Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Contemporary English Version
After Balak had done what Balaam asked, he sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.

English Revised Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Balak did what Balaam told him, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Good News Translation
Balak did as he was told, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

International Standard Version
Balak did just what Balaam had instructed—he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Majority Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

NET Bible
So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

New Heart English Bible
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

World English Bible
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Balak does as Balaam said, and he offers a bullock and a ram on an altar.

Young's Literal Translation
and Balak doth as Balaam said, and he offereth a bullock and a ram on an altar.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Balak will do as Balaam said, and he will bring up a bullock, and a ram, upon the altar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Balac did as Balaam had said: and he laid on every altar, a calf and a ram.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Balak did as Balaam had said, and he placed on each altar a calf and a ram.

New American Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had ordered, offering a bull and a ram on each altar.

New Revised Standard Version
So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Balaq did as Balaam said to him, and he offered up bulls and rams on the altar.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Balac did as Balaam told him, and offered a calf and a ram on every altar.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balaam's Second Oracle
29Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” 30So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Cross References
Numbers 24:1-2
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. / When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

Numbers 22:41
The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.

Numbers 24:10
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

Numbers 22:5-6
he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. / So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”

Numbers 24:13
that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

Numbers 22:12
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

Numbers 24:25
Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.

Numbers 22:20
That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

Numbers 24:17
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

Numbers 22:35
But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Numbers 24:5-9
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! / They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. / Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. ...

Numbers 22:38
“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”

Numbers 24:3-4
and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, / the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

Numbers 22:18
But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.

Numbers 24:15-16
Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, / the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:


Treasury of Scripture

And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

saw

Numbers 22:13
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

Numbers 23:20
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

at other times

Numbers 23:3,15
And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt 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 to an high place…

to seek for enchantments.

Numbers 23:23
Surely there is no enchantment against 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!

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Numbers 23
1. Balak's sacrifices














So Balak did as Balaam had instructed
Balak, the king of Moab, follows the instructions of Balaam, a prophet known for his ability to bless and curse. This obedience highlights Balak's desperation to curse the Israelites, who were encamped on the plains of Moab. The historical context shows the fear and anxiety of the Moabites as they faced the advancing Israelites. This act of following Balaam's instructions also reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking divine favor through prophetic intermediaries.

and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar
The offering of a bull and a ram on each altar is significant in the context of ancient sacrificial practices. Bulls and rams were considered valuable sacrifices, often associated with seeking favor or appeasement from deities. This act of sacrifice is consistent with the Levitical laws found in the Pentateuch, where bulls and rams are frequently mentioned as offerings (Leviticus 1:3-9, 8:18-21). Theologically, this can be seen as a futile attempt to manipulate divine will, contrasting with the biblical theme that true worship and obedience to God cannot be bought or coerced. The use of multiple altars indicates the seriousness and intensity of Balak's desire to secure a curse against Israel, yet it also foreshadows the futility of opposing God's chosen people, as seen in the broader narrative of Numbers 22-24.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Balak
The king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam.

2. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak to curse the Israelites but is ultimately used by God to bless them instead.

3. Moab
The region ruled by Balak, located east of the Dead Sea, representing opposition to Israel.

4. Altars
Structures built by Balak and Balaam for the purpose of offering sacrifices, hoping to gain favor for cursing Israel.

5. Sacrifices
The bull and ram offered on each altar, representing attempts to manipulate divine favor.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God Over Human Desires
Balaam's account reminds us that God's will prevails over human intentions. We must prioritize obedience to God over personal gain or pressure from others.

The Futility of Opposing God's People
Balak's efforts to curse Israel demonstrate the futility of opposing God's chosen people. As believers, we can trust in God's protection and promises.

The Role of Sacrifices
The sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam highlight the misunderstanding of true worship. True worship requires a heart aligned with God's will, not mere ritualistic offerings.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human attempts to manipulate outcomes, God's sovereignty ensures that His purposes are fulfilled. We can find peace in knowing that God is in control.

The Danger of Compromise
Balaam's willingness to entertain Balak's request serves as a warning against compromising our faith for worldly benefits. We must remain steadfast in our convictions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

did
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

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

had instructed,
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

and he offered
וַיַּ֛עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

a bull
פָּ֥ר (pār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer

and a ram
וָאַ֖יִל (wā·’a·yil)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree

on each altar.
בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (bam·miz·bê·aḥ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar


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OT Law: Numbers 23:30 Balak did as Balaam had said (Nu Num.)
Numbers 23:29
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