Balak

Family: Moab · Role: king of the Moabites · First appears: Numbers 22

In Numbers 22, Balak, the son of Zippor, was king of the Moabites. At Pethor, he sent messengers to Balaam asking him to curse Israel, then sent a second delegation of more numerous and honorable princes. Balak urged Balaam, “Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people,” believing this might allow Moab to prevail against and drive them out.

In Numbers 23, after Balaam blessed those Balak had hired him to curse, Balak directed him to try from another location, then ordered him neither to curse nor bless them. When Balaam revealed a prophecy concerning future dominion and destruction, Balak dismissed him, saying, “Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.”

Relationship record

Life events

• Balak sent messengers to Balaam, asking him to curse Israel.(Numbers 22 · 📍 Pethor)
  • With: Balaam
  • “He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor”
• Balak sent a second delegation of more numerous and honorable princes to Balaam.(Numbers 22)
  • With: Balaam
  • “And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.”
• Balaam blessed those Balak had hired him to curse.(Numbers 23)
  • With: Balaam
  • “What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.”
• Balak directed Balaam to attempt the curse from another location.(Numbers 23)
  • With: Balaam
  • “Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.”
• Balak ordered Balaam neither to curse nor bless them.(Numbers 23)
  • With: Balaam
  • “And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”
• Balaam revealed to Balak a prophecy concerning future dominion and destruction.(Numbers 24)
  • With: Balaam
  • “And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.”
• Balak dismissed Balaam and ordered him to return to his place.(Numbers 24)
  • With: Balaam
  • “Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.”

Numbers 22

• parent: Zippor “Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.”
• sent-one: Balaam “He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying,”
• subordinate: Balaam “Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land:”
• with Balaam (Balak received and confronted Balaam.) “And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?”

Numbers 23

• commander: Balaam “And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.”
• subordinate: Balaam “And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.”
• deity: God “And Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 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.”

Numbers 24

• with Balaam (Balak is angry with Balaam.) “And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together:”

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Extracted from the original text of The Five Books of Moses. Made with Rho MD.