Thematic Bible: Balak


Thematic Bible



O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him. Remember from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Jehovah. Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGod, Righteousness OfHistoryPast, TheAnswering PeopleGod Doing RightDoing RightMan's Counsel

The king of Moab, Balak son of Zippor, fought against you. He sent word to Balaam son of Beor and asked him to put a curse on you. Verse ConceptsCursing Israel

So the Moabites said to the leaders of Midian: All those people will eventually eat up everything around us the same way cattle eat up the grass in a field. At that time Balak, son of Zippor, was king of Moab. Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGrassTongueAnimals Eating

Do you think you are better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever challenge Israel or fight with them?

He sent messengers to summon Balaam, son of Beor, who was at Pethor, on the Euphrates River, in the land where his people lived. Balak's message was: A nation has just come here from Egypt. They have spread out all over the countryside and are setting up their camp here in front of me. They outnumber us, so please come and put a curse on them for me. Then maybe we will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that when you pronounce a blessing, people are blessed, and when you pronounce a curse, they are placed under a curse. The elders of Moab and Midian left. They took money with them to pay for Balaam's services. They came to Balaam and told him what Balak had said.

Balak sent a larger group of more highly respected princes. When they came to Balaam they said to him: This is what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Do not let anything keep you from coming to me. I will make sure you are richly rewarded. I will do whatever you ask. Please, come and curse (execrate) these people for me.'