And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

NUMBERS 22:40KJV
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Numbers 22:40 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:40 mean?

Numbers 22:40 describes how Balak, the king of Moab, prepared a welcoming sacrifice of oxen and sheep and sent portions to Balaam and the Moabite officials who were with him. This act was part of Balak’s effort to honor Balaam and encourage his cooperation in cursing Israel.

Balak is the main actor in this verse, taking steps to show hospitality and respect to Balaam, a well-known diviner he had summoned from afar. The verse sets the scene for the coming interaction between Balak and Balaam by highlighting the ceremonial welcome and the involvement of Moab’s princes. This hospitality was a common way in the ancient world to secure favor and build alliances.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:40

  • זָבַח (zāvaḥ, "offered"): This word means to slaughter or sacrifice, often in a religious context. Balak’s action here is not just a meal but a ritual sacrifice, underscoring the seriousness of his intentions.
  • בָּקָר (bāqār, "oxen") and צֹאן (tso’n, "sheep"): These animals were valuable and commonly used in sacrifices, showing that Balak spared no expense in his welcome.
  • שָׁלַח (shālaḥ, "sent"): This verb means to send or dispatch. Balak’s sending of portions to Balaam and the princes signals honor and inclusion, not just feeding them but involving them in the ritual.

Why Numbers 22:40 matters

  • Numbers 22:40 shows that Balak treated Balaam as an honored guest, not just a hired prophet, which helps explain why Balaam took the request seriously.
  • The verse highlights the use of ritual and sacrifice in ancient diplomacy, showing how leaders tried to influence spiritual figures.
  • This hospitality sets up the tension in the story: despite all Balak’s efforts and offerings, Balaam’s message will ultimately depend on God, not on human gifts or rituals.

Where else these words appear

“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 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

“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 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

“offered” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.