Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

JOSHUA 24:9KJV
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Joshua 24:9 (KJV)

What does Joshua 24:9 mean?

Joshua 24:9 recounts how Balak, the king of Moab, tried to oppose Israel by hiring Balaam to curse them. The verse highlights an episode when Israel faced hostility from a neighboring king who sought supernatural means to harm them.

In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the assembled people of Israel, reminding them of their history as they renew their covenant with God. Joshua points out that Balak, son of Zippor, not only fought against Israel but also sent for Balaam, son of Beor, hoping that a curse would weaken or destroy Israel. This reminder sets the stage for recalling how God protected Israel despite these threats.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 24:9

  • בָּלָק (Balak): This name means "devastator" or "one who lays waste," which fits the king's hostile intentions toward Israel in this story.
  • לָחַם (lacham, "warred"): The Hebrew word here can mean to engage in battle or to wage war, but it can also carry the sense of striving against someone, not always in open combat. In this context, it includes Balak's attempt to harm Israel through spiritual means, not just military action.
  • קָלַל (qalal, "curse"): This word means "to curse" or "to make light of." Balak's request for Balaam to curse Israel was an attempt to diminish or bring harm to them through spoken words, showing the seriousness with which such curses were viewed in the ancient world.

Why Joshua 24:9 matters

  • Joshua 24:9 clarifies that Israel's challenges were not only military but also spiritual, as enemies sought to use curses against them.
  • The verse emphasizes God's protection over Israel, since the attempt to curse them ultimately failed, as later verses recall.
  • By mentioning both Balak and Balaam, Joshua reminds the people of specific threats they faced and how God intervened, reinforcing the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness as they renew their commitment.

Where else these words appear

“Zippor” Hebrew H6834 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
  • Numbers 22:10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
  • Numbers 23:18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

“Beor” Hebrew H1160 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 36:32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
  • Numbers 24:15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
  • Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.

“Balak” Hebrew H1111 · used in 40 verses

  • Numbers 22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
  • Numbers 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.
  • Numbers 23:18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

“Balaam” Hebrew H1109 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
  • Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
  • Numbers 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.