Numbers 23:13-17

Why does Balak try a different viewpoint?

Berean Standard Bible

13 Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.” 14 So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.” 16 And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.” 17 So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked.

What is the context?

Balak takes Balaam to another place, hoping a view of only part of the people will produce the curse he wants. The altars and sacrifices are repeated.

The Lord again gives Balaam a message to speak. Balak waits to hear it. Changing the setting has not changed who supplies the words or made the king’s desired answer authoritative.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads the move as another attempt to influence the outcome. Ellicott discusses differing ways to understand how much of the camp each location reveals. The BSB’s partial-view wording remains unchanged here; the story’s central contrast is the king’s aim and the Lord’s answer.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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