And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

NUMBERS 22:12KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 22:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:12 mean?

Numbers 22:12 means that God directly told Balaam not to go with the messengers from Moab and not to curse the Israelites, because God had already blessed them. God made it clear that Balaam was not to act against the people God had chosen to favor.

In this verse, God (speaking to Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet) responds to Balaam’s request about whether he should go with the Moabite officials who wanted him to curse Israel. The situation is tense: Balak, king of Moab, fears Israel and wants Balaam’s help to stop them. God’s answer is firm, showing that the Israelites’ blessed status cannot be reversed by human words or actions.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:12

  • God (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim): This word is the common Hebrew term for God, emphasizing God’s authority and power in this command to Balaam.
  • Curse (אָרַר, ’arar): This word means to pronounce harm or misfortune. God’s use of it shows that what Balak wants from Balaam is not just a negative wish, but a serious spiritual act.
  • Blessed (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to bestow favor or goodness. God’s statement that the people are “blessed” means their positive status is secure and cannot be undone by Balaam or anyone else.

Why Numbers 22:12 matters

  • Numbers 22:12 makes it clear that God’s blessing on Israel is not something that can be undone by outside forces, even by a well-known prophet like Balaam.
  • The verse shows God’s direct involvement and control over the situation, not leaving Israel’s fate up to chance or human manipulation.
  • This sets the stage for the rest of the story, where Balaam’s attempts to curse Israel are repeatedly blocked, highlighting God’s protection over His people.

Where else these words appear

“curse” Hebrew H779 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Deuteronomy 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
  • Joshua 9:23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

“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 22:34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
  • Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.