Numbers 23:25

Numbers 23:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
• New International Version (NIV)Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all!”

Context of Numbers 23:25

23No spell can curse the descendants of Jacob. No magic can harm the people of Israel. Now it will be said of Jacob and Israel: ‘See what God has done!’ 24Here is a nation that attacks like a lioness and is as ferocious as a lion. It doesn’t lie down until it eats its prey and drinks the blood of its victim.” Balak said to Balaam, “If you won’t curse them, then at least don’t bless them!” 26Balaam answered, “Didn’t I tell you that I must do whatever the Lord says?” 27Balak said to Balaam, “Come, let me take you to another place. Maybe God wants you to curse them for me from there.”

Numbers 23:25 word by word

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר בָּלָק֙ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֔ם גַּם־קֹ֖ב לֹ֣א תִקֳּבֶ֑נּוּ גַּם־בָּרֵ֖ךְ לֹ֥א תְבָרֲכֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Balakבָּלָקbâlâq · BalakH1111
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• unto Balaamבִּלְעָםbil‛âm · BalaamH1109
• Neither curseנָקַבnâqab · to pierceH5344
• them at allקָבַבqâbab · to curseH6895
• nor blessבָּרַךְbârak · to blessH1288

Cross-references for Numbers 23:25

• Psalms 2:1Why do the nations gather together? Why do their people devise useless plots?

Commentaries on Numbers 23:25

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-30Verses 11-30 Balak was angry with Balaam. Thus a confession of God's overruling power is extorted from a wicked prophet, to the confusion of a wicked prince. A second time the curse is turned into a blessing; and this blessing is both larger and stronger than the former. Men change their minds, and break their words; but God never changes his mind, and therefore never recalls his promise. And when in Scripture he is said to repent, it does not mean any…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-26Balak hoped for different results by changing the location. The exact location of the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak is unknown. Yet, Pisgah is part of the ridge that is above the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 34:1). It is near Bamoth-baal and Mount Peor (Numbers 22:41; 23:28).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-301. Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars--Balak, being a heathen, would naturally suppose these altars were erected in honor of Baal, the patron deity of his country. It is evident, from Nu 23:4 that they were prepared for the worship of the true God; although in choosing the high places of Baal as their site and rearing a number of altars (2Ki 18:22; Is 17:8; Jr 11:13; Ho 8:11; 10:1), instead of one only, as God had appointed, Balaam blended…Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Balaam
• Count
• Abel-Shittim
• Balak
• Charm
• Divination
• Genealogy
• Magic; Magician
• Numbers, Book of
• Poetry, Hebrew

Commentaries on Numbers 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings