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

NUMBERS 23:29KJV
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Numbers 23:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 23:29 mean?

Numbers 23:29 describes Balaam preparing for another attempt to speak about Israel at Balak’s request. Balaam tells Balak to build seven altars and get animals ready for them. The preparations are part of the repeated ceremony that precedes Balaam’s pronouncements about Israel.

The verse follows Balak’s decision to take Balaam to the top of Peor. The seven altars would provide places where the animals could be offered. Balaam’s instructions show that he expects Balak to provide what is needed at the new location.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 23:29

  • “prepare” — כּוּן (kun): The word can mean to make ready or set in place. Here it describes getting the animals ready for the offering that follows.
  • “bullocks” — פַּר (par): The word refers to a young bull. The KJV’s “bullocks” may sound unfamiliar, but Balaam is asking for seven male cattle.

Why Numbers 23:29 matters

  • The new location is part of Balak’s continuing effort to have Israel cursed. Just before this verse, Balak says he will take Balaam elsewhere in hopes that a curse will be possible from there (Numbers 23:27).
  • The preparations repeat an earlier pattern rather than introduce a new one. Balaam had also asked for seven altars, seven bulls, and seven rams at the two previous locations (Numbers 23:1, 14).
  • Balak carries out Balaam’s instructions. In the next verse, he offers a bull and a ram on each altar (Numbers 23:30).

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 23:18 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.

“bullocks” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:33 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: