And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

NUMBERS 23:25KJV
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Numbers 23:25 (KJV)

What does Numbers 23:25 mean?

Numbers 23:25 shows Balak telling Balaam not to curse or bless the Israelites at all. Balak, frustrated that Balaam will not curse Israel as he hoped, now asks him to simply say nothing—neither harm nor help them.

Balak, the king of Moab, is speaking directly to Balaam, a prophet he hired to curse Israel. After Balaam blesses Israel instead of cursing them, Balak tries to stop any further words—good or bad—about Israel. This verse highlights Balak’s desperation and his attempt to control the outcome when things are not going his way.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 23:25

  • "curse" (אָרַר, 'arar, H5344): This word means to pronounce harm or misfortune. Balak uses it to ask Balaam not to bring any negative words against Israel.
  • "bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh, H1288): This word means to speak well of or to wish prosperity. Balak is so frustrated that he does not even want Balaam to bless Israel, fearing any positive words might help them.
  • "all" (קָבַב, qavav, H6895): This word here is used for emphasis, meaning "at all" or "in any way." Balak is making it clear he wants Balaam to refrain completely from both cursing and blessing.

Why Numbers 23:25 matters

  • Numbers 23:25 shows how powerless Balak feels in the face of God’s blessing on Israel; he cannot get what he wants, even from a hired prophet.
  • The verse highlights the tension between human plans and divine purpose—Balak’s efforts to manipulate the situation are completely frustrated.
  • This moment connects to the larger story, where God’s will to bless Israel cannot be overturned by human schemes, no matter how persistent or desperate.

Where else these words appear

“all” Hebrew H6895 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 22:11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
  • Numbers 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
  • Numbers 23:13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.

“curse” Hebrew H5344 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 30:28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
  • Job 41:2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

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