Numbers 23:17
Numbers 23:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Balaam returns to find Balak and the Moabite princes standing by the burnt offering, and Balak asks what the LORD has spoken.
The Context of Numbers 23:17
Balak awaits Balaam's second oracle.
What Does Numbers 23:17 Mean?
Balak's immediate question shows his eagerness to hear the new word. The princes remain present, maintaining the public, witnessed nature of the oracle.
Balak's phrasing "What hath the LORD spoken?" subtly acknowledges that this is not Balaam's word but God's—a rhetorical concession that frames the oracle's authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 23:17
What does Numbers 23:17 mean?
Balaam returns to find Balak and the Moabite princes standing by the burnt offering, and Balak asks what the LORD has spoken.
What is the context of Numbers 23:17?
Balak awaits Balaam's second oracle.