Numbers 23:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Balaam begins his oracle, recounting how Balak brought him from Aram to curse Jacob and Israel.
The Context of Numbers 23:7
Balaam begins his oracle by reciting the curse he was hired to pronounce.
What Does Numbers 23:7 Mean?
Balaam's "parable" or oracle opens by restating the commission: Balak hired him to curse Jacob and to defy Israel. This public statement anchors what follows in the actual negotiated request.
By opening with Balak's own words and intent, Balaam establishes the frame within which his oracle will be heard. He does not hide what was asked; he acknowledges it plainly before explaining why he cannot comply.
Numbers 23:7 in the Original Language
parable (מָשָׁל, mashal) — a wise saying, prophecy, or elaborate utterance; here Balaam's oracle takes the form of elevated poetic speech.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 23:7
What does Numbers 23:7 mean?
Balaam begins his oracle, recounting how Balak brought him from Aram to curse Jacob and Israel.
What is the context of Numbers 23:7?
Balaam begins his oracle by reciting the curse he was hired to pronounce.