Numbers 22:17
Numbers 22:17 in Multiple Translations
for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”
For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
For I will give you a place of very great honour, and whatever you say to me I will do; so come, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people.
because I will pay you a great deal and follow all the advice you give me. Please come and curse these people for me!’”
For I wil promote thee vnto great honour, and wil do whatsoeuer thou sayest vnto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
for very greatly I honour thee, and all that thou sayest unto me I do; and come, I pray thee, pierce for me this people.'
for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.’”
For I will promote thee to very great honor, and I will do whatever thou sayest to me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse this people for me.
For I am ready to honour thee, and will give thee whatsoever thou wilt: come and curse this people.
I will pay you ◄a lot of money/very well► if you come, and I will do anything that you ask me to do. Just come and curse these Israeli people for me!’”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 22:17
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Numbers 22:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 22:17
Study Notes — Numbers 22:17
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 22:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 22:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 22:17
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 22:17
- Sermons on Numbers 22:17
Context — Balak Summons Balaam
17for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”
18But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 19So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD has to tell me.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 24:11 | Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” |
| 2 | Esther 5:11 | Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants. |
| 3 | Matthew 4:8–9 | Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” |
| 4 | Numbers 23:2–3 | So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height, |
| 5 | Matthew 16:26 | What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? |
| 6 | Numbers 22:6 | So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.” |
| 7 | Esther 7:9 | Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king. |
| 8 | Numbers 22:37 | And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to richly reward you?” |
| 9 | Matthew 14:7 | so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. |
| 10 | Numbers 23:29–30 | Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar. |
Numbers 22:17 Summary
In Numbers 22:17, Balak offers Balaam a deal: come and curse the Israelites, and I will give you riches and honor. But Balaam must decide whether to obey God or go for the wealth and prestige. This verse teaches us that true spiritual power comes from obeying God, not from seeking wealth or human recognition (as seen in Proverbs 15:16). We can learn from Balaam's example to prioritize our relationship with God and seek His guidance in our decisions, rather than being swayed by worldly temptations (Matthew 6:24).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the motivation behind Balak's offer to Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
Balak's motivation is to use Balaam's perceived spiritual influence to curse the Israelites, thereby gaining an advantage over them, as seen in his desire to 'honor him richly' if Balaam complies with his request (Numbers 22:17).
Is Balaam tempted by Balak's offer in Numbers 22:17?
Although Balaam is initially tempted by the offer, he ultimately resists it, stating that he cannot go beyond the command of the Lord his God, even if offered a house full of silver and gold (Numbers 22:18).
What can we learn from Balak's approach to Balaam in Numbers 22:17?
We can learn that worldly wealth and honor are not a guarantee of spiritual power or influence, and that true spiritual authority comes from obedience to God, as seen in Balaam's response to Balak's offer (Numbers 22:18) and supported by verses like Proverbs 15:16.
How does Numbers 22:17 relate to the broader biblical theme of spiritual authority?
This verse highlights the importance of seeking spiritual authority from God, rather than from worldly sources, as emphasized in verses like Matthew 21:23 and John 5:44.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be tempted to compromise my values or spiritual convictions for personal gain, and how can I resist such temptations?
- How can I, like Balaam, prioritize obedience to God's commands over worldly offers or pressures?
- In what ways can I seek to honor God with my life, rather than seeking to be honored by others, as Balak sought to honor Balaam?
- What are some biblical principles that can guide my decision-making when faced with difficult choices or tempting offers?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 22:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 22:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 22:17
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 22:17
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 22:17
Sermons on Numbers 22:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Idolatry Is to Love the World by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being free from the pressure to please others and conform to worldly patterns. They highlight how the world dictates certai |
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The Inner Life by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the significance of the inner life in the New Covenant, contrasting it with the Old Covenant's external standards. He explains that overcoming the world, whic |
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Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - 4 by Zacharias Tanee Fomum | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking opportunities and working diligently. They encourage the audience to express their thoughts and ideas without fear |
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Road to Reality - Encouraged by Jesus Part Two by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, Brother K.P. Yohannan discusses the story of the feeding of the 5,000 from the Bible. He emphasizes the theme of God's sufficiency in our inadequacy and encourages |
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Protect Your Testimony by Michael Koulianos | Michael Koulianos emphasizes the importance of protecting one's testimony, which encompasses not only the story of salvation but also the ongoing work of God in our lives. He warns |
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Life in the Spirit by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of living a life led by the Holy Spirit, illustrating how Jesus' baptism and subsequent temptation demonstrate the connection between s |
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Four Voices: Part 2 by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe preaches about the different voices we hear in the world, emphasizing God the Son's declaration through His decrees and reign as King. He highlights the importance o |






