Balak בָּלָק
King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel.
Biography
Balak was the king of Moab during the time when the Israelites were approaching the Promised Land (Num.22.4). Fearing the large number of Israelites, Balak hired the pagan prophet Balaam to curse them (Num.22.5-6). Despite Balak's repeated attempts and offerings, Balaam could only bless Israel as God commanded (Numbers 23-24). Balak became angry with Balaam for not cursing Israel and sent him away (Num.24.10-11). Balak is mentioned in the farewell speeches of Joshua (Jos.24.9) and Jephthah (Jdg.11.25) as an example of how God protected Israel from their enemies. The prophet Micah also refers to Balak's story as a reminder of God's righteousness (Mic.6.5). In Rev.2.14, Balak is associated with Balaam's scheme to entice Israel into idolatry and immorality. Balak's actions demonstrate the futility of opposing God's plan and people.
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In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 3 with study contentNumbers 5 verses
- Numbers 22:2
"Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites."
- Numbers 22:4
"Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this multitude will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time."
- Numbers 22:7
"The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak."
- Numbers 22:10
"Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has said to me,"
- Numbers 22:13
"Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you.”"
Joshua 1 verse Study available
- Joshua 24:9
"Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. He sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you,"
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Judges 1 verse
- Judges 11:25
"Now are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?"
Micah 1 verse Study available
- Micah 6:5
"My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”"
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Revelation 1 verse Study available
- Revelation 2:14
"But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בָּלָק | H1111 |
| Greek | Greek | Βαλάκ | G0904 |
Balak
; Jud 11:25; Mic 6:5; Re 2:14). He was the king of Moab who hired Balaam to pronounce a curse on the Israelites.
See BALAAM.
bal'-a-mon Balamon; (the King James Version, Balamo): In the field between Balamon and Dothaim Manasses, the husband of Judith, was buried (Judith 8:3). Compare Baal-hamon (So 8:11