Balac, also known as Balak, was the king of Moab during the time of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. His account is primarily found in Numbers 22-24. Balac is a significant figure due to his interactions with the prophet Balaam and his opposition to the Israelites.

Historical Context

Balac reigned over Moab during a period of great anxiety for his people. The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, were approaching the borders of Moab. The Moabites, along with their neighbors the Midianites, were fearful of the Israelites due to their recent military victories over the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35). Balac, recognizing the threat posed by the Israelites, sought a means to weaken them.

Balac's Request to Balaam

In an attempt to protect his kingdom, Balac sent messengers to Balaam, a prophet known for his ability to bless and curse, asking him to curse the Israelites. Balac's request is recorded in Numbers 22:5-6: "Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. So please come now and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land."

Balac's actions demonstrate his reliance on spiritual intervention rather than military might. He believed that a curse from Balaam would weaken the Israelites and allow him to defeat them.

Balaam's Response

Despite Balac's persistent requests and offers of great reward, Balaam was initially instructed by God not to go with Balac's messengers and not to curse the Israelites, for they were blessed (Numbers 22:12). However, after further entreaties and divine permission, Balaam agreed to go with Balac's officials, but only to speak the words that God would give him (Numbers 22:20).

The Oracles of Balaam

Upon his arrival, Balac took Balaam to various high places to view the Israelites, hoping that Balaam would curse them. Instead, Balaam delivered a series of oracles that blessed Israel rather than cursed them. In Numbers 23:8, Balaam declared, "How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?"

Despite Balac's frustration and repeated attempts to change Balaam's mind, each oracle pronounced blessings upon Israel and foretold their future prosperity and dominance over their enemies (Numbers 24:9). Balac's anger reached its peak when Balaam's final oracle prophesied the downfall of Moab and other nations (Numbers 24:17).

Legacy and Significance

Balac's account is a testament to the futility of opposing God's will. His attempts to curse Israel only resulted in further blessings for the people of God. Balac's reliance on Balaam highlights the belief in the power of spoken blessings and curses in the ancient Near East, as well as the sovereignty of God over such matters.

In the New Testament, Balac is mentioned in the context of Balaam's error, as a warning against leading others into sin (Revelation 2:14). His account serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning oneself with God's purposes and the ultimate triumph of God's plans over human schemes.Balac

(Revelation 2:14) [BALAK]

BALAC

ba'-lak.

See BALAK.

904. Balak -- Balak, a king of the Moabites
... Balak. Of Hebrew origin (Balaq); Balak, a Moabite -- Balac. see HEBREW Balaq. (balak) --
1 Occurrence. 903, 904. Balak. 905 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/904.htm - 6k

There Followed the Revolt of Those, Who, with Dathan and Abiron as ...
... Canaanites. He smote also Seon the king of the Amorites, and possessed himself
of all their towns: he conquered, too, Basan and Balac. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxi there followed the.htm

St. John did not Absolutely Forbid that Prayer Should be Made for ...
... "Thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to put
a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x st john did.htm

Balac (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BALAC. ba'-lak. See BALAK. Multi-Version
Concordance Balac (1 Occurrence). Revelation 2:14 But ...
/b/balac.htm - 7k

Balaam's (6 Occurrences)

/b/balaam's.htm - 8k

Baladan (2 Occurrences)

/b/baladan.htm - 9k

Gather (251 Occurrences)
... Gatherer occurs in Amos 7:14 as the translation of bolec, from balac, to cultivate
figs or sycamores, "a gatherer of sycamore fruit," the Revised Version ...
/g/gather.htm - 47k

Stumblingblock (14 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock ...
/s/stumblingblock.htm - 13k

Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock ...
/f/fornication.htm - 24k

Doctrine (52 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock ...
/d/doctrine.htm - 57k

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