Numbers 23:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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. And he went to an high place.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Balaam asks Balak to wait by the offerings while he seeks God's word, then goes to a high place.
The Context of Numbers 23:3
Balaam seeks a private place to encounter God.
What Does Numbers 23:3 Mean?
Balaam separates himself from Balak and the ceremony, moving to higher ground—a common biblical setting for divine encounter. He expresses uncertainty ("peradventure") about whether God will meet him, suggesting he does not presume the outcome.
The spatial separation and the prospect of isolation create the conditions Balaam associates with hearing from God. His conditional language reflects a dependence on divine initiative rather than his own power to manipulate blessing or curse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 23:3
What does Numbers 23:3 mean?
Balaam asks Balak to wait by the offerings while he seeks God's word, then goes to a high place.
What is the context of Numbers 23:3?
Balaam seeks a private place to encounter God.