And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.

NUMBERS 23:27KJV
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Numbers 23:27 (KJV)

What does Numbers 23:27 mean?

Numbers 23:27 shows Balak, the king of Moab, urging Balaam to try cursing Israel from a different location, hoping that a change of place might please God and allow the curse. Balak is still seeking a way to get what he wants, despite previous failed attempts.

In this verse, Balak speaks directly to Balaam, a prophet he has hired to curse the Israelites. After two unsuccessful efforts, Balak suggests moving to "another place," thinking perhaps God will allow Balaam to curse Israel from there. The verse highlights Balak’s persistence and his belief that changing the setting might change God’s response.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 23:27

  • "Please" (יָשַׁר, yashar; עַיִן, ayin): The phrase translated as "please God" uses words that together mean "it is right in the eyes" or "it is pleasing in the sight" of God. This shows Balak is hoping to find a situation that God would approve of, even though he misunderstands God's consistent will.
  • "Curse" (קָבַב, qavav): The Hebrew word here means to curse or pronounce harm. Balak is still fixated on getting Balaam to speak a curse, showing his determination and misunderstanding of God’s intentions.

Why Numbers 23:27 matters

  • This verse makes clear that Balak thinks the outcome might change if the circumstances change, revealing his misunderstanding of God’s unchanging purpose for Israel.
  • The verse sets up the next scene, showing Balak’s persistence and desperation, which contrasts with God’s steadfastness in blessing Israel.
  • It helps the reader see the ongoing tension between human schemes and divine will, a theme that runs through the whole Balaam narrative.

Where else these words appear

“curse” 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.

“please” Hebrew H3474 · used in 26 verses

  • Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
  • Proverbs 9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

“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.