Balak
Balak, son of Zippor, was the king of Moab who tried to curse Israel through Balaam.
The name Balak means “who lays waste or destroys”
MaleKingMoabEgypt and Wilderness eraOld & New Testaments5 books50 verses
Summary
A king in Moab living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Numbers 22:2; referred to as Balak (בָּלָק) or Balak (Βαλάκ); a son of Zippor.
Glossary entries
Family members
- Father
Alternative names
Mentions
Includes 9 verses that refer to Balak without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
- So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,
- Numbers 22:5Referred to, not named…he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
- Numbers 22:6Referred to, not namedSo please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”
- The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
- And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:
- Numbers 22:11Referred to, not named‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
- So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
- And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
- Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.
- They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
- Numbers 22:17Referred to, not named…for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”
- But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.
- But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
- When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory.
- And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to reward you richly?”
- “See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”
- So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
- Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.
- The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.
- Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
- So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,
- Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
- Numbers 23:6Referred to, not namedSo he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.
- And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
- Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”
- 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.”
- Numbers 23:14Referred to, not namedSo 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.
- Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
- And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”
- 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.
- Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.
- Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”
- But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
- “Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”
- And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
- Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
- So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
- Numbers 24:11Referred to, not namedTherefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
- Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
- …that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.
- Numbers 24:14Referred to, not namedNow I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
- Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
- Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,
- Joshua 24:10Referred to, not named…but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.
- Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?
- My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”
- But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.