Numbers 24:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Balak dismisses Balaam, claiming God prevented him from being rewarded.
The Context of Numbers 24:11
Balak fires Balaam and attributes his failure to God's intervention.
What Does Numbers 24:11 Mean?
Balak orders Balaam to leave, ending their arrangement. Balak had promised great wealth and status—promotion to honor—if Balaam could curse Israel. Yet this reward has not come, and Balak now blames the LORD for withholding the promised honour from Balaam.
Balak's words reveal his understanding that God is the ultimate power at work. He recognizes that despite paying Balaam and making promises, the LORD's will overrides his plans. Balak attempts to shift blame from himself to God's interference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 24:11
What does Numbers 24:11 mean?
Balak dismisses Balaam, claiming God prevented him from being rewarded.
What is the context of Numbers 24:11?
Balak fires Balaam and attributes his failure to God's intervention.