Balaam's Oracles of Blessing

Numbers 23

Balac builds altars and offers sacrifices in three different places, hoping Balaam will curse Israel, but each time the Lord puts a word in Balaam's mouth and he blesses Israel instead. Balaam declares that the Lord is not a man that he should lie, and that he has been commanded to bless, not curse.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonWHEREUPON Balaam said to Balak, Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven young bulls, and seven rams.

BrentonAnd Balaam said to Balac, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven calves, and seven rams.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ τῷ Βαλὰκ οἰκοδόμησόν μοι ἐνταῦθα ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς, καὶ ἐτοίμασόν μοι ἐνταῦθα ἑπτὰ μόσχους, καὶ ἑπτὰ κριούς.

KJVAnd Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

JPSAnd Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.’

ThomsonAnd when Balak had done as Balaam had ordered him; and had offered a bull, and a ram, on each altar,

BrentonAnd Balac did as Balaam told him; and he offered up a calf and a ram on every altar.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Βαλὰκ ὃν τρόπον εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλαάμ· καὶ ἀνήνεγκε μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν.

KJVAnd Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.

JPSAnd Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.

Thomsonthen Balaam said to Balak, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will advance on. If God appear to me by any occurrence, whatever He shall shew me I will tell thee. So Balak stood by his sacrifice. And Balaam went to inquire of God: and as he was going straight forward,

BrentonAnd Balaam said to Balac, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will go and see if God will appear to me and meet me, and the word which he shall shew me, I will report to thee. And Balac stood by his sacrifice.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλὰκ, παράστηθι ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας σου, καὶ πορεύσομαι εἴ μοι φανεῖται ὁ Θεὸς ἐν συναντήσει, καὶ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐάν μοι δείξῃ, ἀναγγελῶ σοι· καὶ παρέστη Βαλὰκ ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.

JPSAnd Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go; peradventure the LORD will come to meet me; and whatsoever He showeth me I will tell thee.’ And he went to a bare height.

ThomsonGod appeared to Balaam. And Balaam said to Him, I have prepared seven altars, and offered a young bull, and a ram, on each altar.

BrentonAnd Balaam went to enquire of God; and he went straight forward, and God appeared to Balaam; and Balaam said to him, I have prepared the seven altars, and have offered a calf and a ram on every altar.

GreekΚαὶ Βαλαὰμ ἐπορεύθη ἐπερωτῆσαι τὸν Θεόν· καὶ ἐπορεύθη εὐθεῖαν· καὶ ἐφάνη ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Βαλαὰμ· καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Βαλαάμ, τοὺς ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς ἡτοίμασα, καὶ ἀνεβίβασα μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν.

KJVAnd God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.

JPSAnd God met Balaam; and he said unto Him: ‘I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.’

ThomsonAnd God put a word in the mouth of Balaam, and said, Return to Balak, and thus thou shalt say.

BrentonAnd God put a word into the mouth of Balaam, and said, Thou shalt return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak.

GreekΚαὶ ἐνέβαλεν ὁ Θεὸς ῥῆμα εἰς τὸ στόμα Βαλαὰμ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐπιστραφεὶς πρὸς Βαλὰκ, οὕτω λαλήσεις.

KJVAnd the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

JPSAnd the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said: ‘Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.’

ThomsonSo he returned to Balak. Now he was standing by his whole burnt offerings, and all the princes of Moab with him; And a spirit of God came upon Balaam,

BrentonAnd he returned to him, and moreover he stood over his whole-burnt-offerings, and all the princes of Moab with him; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεστράφη πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ ὁ δὲ ἐφιστήκει ἐπὶ τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωὰβ μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐγενήθη πνεῦμα Θεοῦ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.

KJVAnd he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.

JPSAnd he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt-offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.

Thomsonand he took up his parable, and said: I am called from Mesopotamia by Balak— By the king of Moab from the mountains of the east, Come, saith he, Curse Jacob for me, And, come, for me devote Israel.

BrentonAnd he took up his parable, and said, Balac king of Moab sent for me out of Mesopotamia, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and Come, call for a curse for me upon Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπεν ἐκ Μεσοποταμίας μετεπέμψατό με Βαλὰκ βασιλεὺς Μωὰβ ἐξ ὀρέων ἀπʼ ἀνατολῶν, λέγων, δεῦρο ἄρασαί μοι τὸν Ἰακώβ, καὶ δεῦρο ἐπικατάρασαί μοι τὸν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

JPSAnd he took up his parable, and said: From Aram Balak bringeth me, The king of Moab from the mountains of the East: ‘Come, curse me Jacob, And come, execrate Israel.’

ThomsonHow can I curse him, whom the Lord doth not curse? Or how devote him whom God devoteth not?

BrentonHow can I curse whom the Lord curses not? or how can I devote whom God devotes not?

GreekΤί ἀράσωμαι ὃν μὴ ἀρᾶται Κύριος; ἢ τί καταράσωμαι ὃν μὴ καταρᾶται ὁ Θεός;

KJVHow shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?

JPSHow shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? And how shall I execrate, whom the LORD hath not execrated?

ThomsonFor from the top of mountains I can see him; Even from hills I can observe him, Behold he shall dwell, as a people by themselves, And shall not be reckoned among the nations.

BrentonFor from the top of the mountains I shall see him, and from the hills I shall observe him: behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

GreekὍτι ἀπὸ κορυφῆς ὀρέων ὄψομαι αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀπὸ βουνῶν προσνοήσω αὐτόν· ἰδοὺ λαὸς μόνος κατοικήσει, καὶ ἐν ἔθνεσιν οὐ συλλογισθήσεται.

KJVFor from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

JPSFor from the top of the rocks I see him, And from the hills I behold him: Lo, it is a people that shall dwell alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations.

ThomsonWho hath accurately scanned the seed of Jacob? Who can count the communities of Israel? May my soul depart among the souls of the righteous! And my offspring be as the seed of these!

BrentonWho has exactly calculated the seed of Jacob, and who shall number the families of Israel? let my soul die with the souls of the righteous, and let my seed be as their seed.

GreekΤίς ἐξηκριβάσατο τὸ σπέρμα Ἰακὼβ, καὶ τίς ἐξαριθμήσεται δήμους Ἰσραήλ; ἀποθάνοι ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν ψυχαῖς δικαίων, καὶ γένοιτο τὸ σπέρμα μου ὡς τὸ σπέρμα τούτων.

KJVWho can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!

JPSWho hath counted the dust of Jacob, Or numbered the stock of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let mine end be like his!

ThomsonAt this Balak said to Balaam, What hast thou done to me? I sent for thee to curse my enemies, and behold thou hast pronounced a blessing.

BrentonAnd Balac said to Balaam, What hast thou done to me? I called thee to curse my enemies, and behold thou hast greatly blessed them.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαὰμ, τί πεποίηκάς μοι; εἰς κατάρασιν ἐχθρῶν μου κέκληκά σε, καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλόγηκας εὐλογίαν.

KJVAnd Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.

JPSAnd Balak said unto Balaam: ‘What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.’

ThomsonAnd Balaam said to Balak, Must I not be careful to speak what God hath put in my mouth?

BrentonAnd Balaam said to Balac, Whatsoever the Lord shall put into my mouth, shall I not take heed to speak this?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλὰκ, οὐχὶ ὅσα ἂν ἐμβάλῃ ὁ Θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου, τοῦτο φυλάξω λαλῆσαι;

KJVAnd he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

JPSAnd he answered and said: ‘Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD putteth in my mouth?’

ThomsonThen Balak said to him, Come with me to yet another place, from which thou shalt not have a full view of them. Thou shalt see only a part of them, and not view them all; and curse them for me from that place.

BrentonAnd Balac said to him, Come yet with me to another place where thou shalt not see the people, but only thou shalt see a part of them, and shalt not see them all; and curse me them from thence.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Βαλὰκ, δεῦρο ἔτι μετʼ ἐμοῦ εἰς τόπον ἄλλον ἐξ οὗ οὐκ ὄψει αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν, ἀλλʼ ἢ μέρος τι αὐτοῦ ὄψει, πάντας δὲ οὐ μὴ ἴδῃς, καὶ κατάρασαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.’

ThomsonSo he took him to a watch tower of the field on the top of a craggy cliff, and built there seven altars.

BrentonAnd he took him to a high place of the field to the top of the quarried rock, and he built there seven altars, and offered a calf and a ram on every altar.

GreekΚαὶ παρέλαβεν αὐτὸν εἰς ἀγροῦ σκοπιὰν ἐπὶ κορυφὴν λελαξευμένου· καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς, καὶ ἀνεβίβασε μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν.

KJVAnd he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

JPSAnd he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

ThomsonAnd when he had offered a bull, and a ram, on each altar, Balaam said to Balak, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will advance on, to inquire of God.

BrentonAnd Balaam said to Balac, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will go to enquire of God.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλὰκ, παράστηθι ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας σου, ἐγὼ δὲ πορεύσομαι ἐπερωτῆσαι τὸν Θεόν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd God met Balaam and put a word in his mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

BrentonAnd God met Balaam, and put a word into his mouth, and said, Return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak.

GreekΚαὶ συνήντησεν ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Βαλαὰμ, καὶ ἐνέβαλε ῥῆμα εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἀποστράφηθι πρὸς Βαλὰκ, καὶ τάδε λαλήσεις.

KJVAnd the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

JPSAnd the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said: ‘Return unto Balak, and thus shalt thou speak.’

ThomsonSo he returned to him. Now he was standing by his whole burnt offering, and all the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, What hath the Lord spoken?

BrentonAnd he returned to him: and he also was standing by his whole-burnt-sacrifice, and all the princes of Moab with him; and Balac said to him, What has the Lord spoken?

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεστράφη πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ ὁ δὲ ἐφειστήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὁλοκαυτώσεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωὰβ μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλὰκ, τί ἐλάλησε Κύριος;

KJVAnd when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?

JPSAnd he came to him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt-offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him: ‘What hath the LORD spoken?’

ThomsonWhereupon he took up his parable, and said, Stand up Balak and hear; Listen attentively as a witness, thou son of Sepphor!

BrentonAnd he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balac, and hear; hearken as a witness, thou son of Sepphor.

GreekΚαὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ, εἶπεν, ἀνάστηθι Βαλὰκ, καὶ ἄκουε, ἐνώτισαι μάρτυς υἱὸς Σεπφώρ.

KJVAnd he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

JPSAnd he took up his parable, and said: Arise, Balak, and hear; Give ear unto me, thou son of Zippor:

ThomsonGod is not like a man to be deceived; Nor like a son of man to be threatened. When he hath spoken, will he not perform? When he shall speak, will he not stand to it?

BrentonGod is not as man to waver, nor as the son of man to be threatened; shall he say and not perform? shall he speak and not keep to his word?

GreekΟὐχ ὡς ἄνθρωπος ὁ Θεὸς διαρτηθῆναι, οὐδʼ ὡς υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ἀπειληθῆναι, αὐτὸς εἴπας, οὐχὶ ποιήσει; λαλήσει, καὶ οὐχὶ ἐμμενεῖ;

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBehold I am constrained to bless! Bless I will. Indeed I cannot avoid it.

BrentonBehold, I have received commandment to bless: I will bless, and not turn back.

GreekἸδοὺ εὐλογεῖν παρείλημμαι· εὐλογήσω, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποστρέψω.

KJVBehold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

JPSBehold, I am bidden to bless; And when He hath blessed, I cannot call it back.

ThomsonThere shall be no calamity in Jacob; Nor shall misery be seen in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; The glories of princes are among them.

BrentonThere shall not be trouble in Jacob, neither shall sorrow be seen in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, the glories of rulers are in him.

GreekΟὐκ ἔσται μόχθος ἐν Ἰακὼβ, οὐδὲ ὀφθήσεται πόνος ἐν Ἰσραήλ· Κύριος ὁ θεὸς αὐτοῦ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, τὰ ἔνδοξα ἀρχόντων ἐν αὐτῷ.

KJVHe hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

JPSNone hath beheld iniquity in Jacob, Neither hath one seen perverseness in Israel; The LORD his God is with him, And the shouting for the King is among them.

ThomsonThe God Who hath brought them out of Egypt, Is to them like the glory of a unicorn.

BrentonIt was God who brought him out of Egypt; he has as it were the glory of a unicorn.

GreekΘεὸς ὁ ἐξαγαγὼν αὐτὸν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, ὡς δόξα μονοκέρωτος αὐτῷ.

KJVGod brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

JPSGod who brought them forth out of Egypt Is for them like the lofty horns of the wild-ox.

ThomsonFor there is no augury used by Jacob— Nor divination among Israel. In due season it shall be told by Jacob, And to Israel, what God will execute.

BrentonFor there is no divination in Jacob, nor enchantment in Israel; in season it shall be told to Jacob and Israel what God shall perform.

GreekΟὐ γάρ ἐστιν οἰωνισμὸς ἐν Ἰακὼβ, οὐδὲ μαντεία ἐν Ἰσραήλ· κατὰ καιρὸν ῥηθήσεται Ἰακὼβ, καὶ τῷ Ἰσραὴλ, τί ἐπιτελέσει ὁ Θεός;

KJVSurely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

JPSFor there is no enchantment with Jacob, Neither is there any divination with Israel; Now is it said of Jacob and of Israel: ‘What hath God wrought! ’

ThomsonBehold the people will rouse like a young lion; And, like an old lion, exult with pride. They will not go to rest till they devour prey— Until they have drunk the blood of the slain.

BrentonBehold, the people shall rise up as a lion's whelp, and shall exalt himself as a lion; he shall not lie down till he have eaten the prey, and he shall drink the blood of the slain.

GreekἸδοὺ λαὸς ὡς σκύμνος ἀναστήσεται, καὶ ὡς λέων γαυρωθήσεται· οὐ κοιμηθήσεται ἕως φάγῃ θήραν, καὶ αἷμα τραυματιῶν πίεται.

KJVBehold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

JPSBehold a people that riseth up as a lioness, And as a lion doth he lift himself up; He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, And drink the blood of the slain.

ThomsonUpon this Balak said to Balaam, Thou shalt neither with curses curse them for me; nor shalt thou with blessings bless them.

BrentonAnd Balac said to Balaam, Neither curse the people at all for me, nor bless them at all.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαὰμ, οὔτε κατάραις καταράσῃ μοι αὐτὸν, οὔτε εὐλογῶν μὴ εὐλογήσῃς αὐτόν.

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

JPSAnd Balak said unto Balaam: ‘Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.’

ThomsonIn reply to which Balaam said to Balak, Did I not tell thee saying, Whatever God shall speak, that I must do.

BrentonAnd Balaam answered and said to Balac, Spoke I not to thee, saying, Whatsoever thing God shall speak to me, that will I do?

GreekΚαὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Βαλαὰμ, εἶπε τῷ Βαλὰκ, οὐκ ἐλάλησά σοι, λέγων, τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ ὁ Θεὸς, τοῦτο ποιήσω;

KJVBut Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

JPSBut Balaam answered and said unto Balak: ‘Told not I thee, saying: All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?’

ThomsonThen Balak said to Balaam, Come let me take thee to another place, that, if it please God, thou mayst curse them for me from there.

BrentonAnd Balac said to Balaam, Come and I will remove thee to another place, if it shall please God, and curse me them from thence.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαὰμ, δεῦρο παραλάβω σε εἰς τόπον ἄλλον, εἰ ἀρέσει τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ κατάρασαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Balak said unto Balaam: ‘Come now, I will take thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.’

ThomsonSo Balak took Balaam to the top of Phogor, which extendeth into the wilderness.

BrentonAnd Balac took Balaam to the top of Phogor, which extends to the wilderness.

GreekΚαὶ παρέλαβε Βαλὰκ τὸν Βαλαὰμ ἐπὶ κορυφὴν τοῦ Φογὼρ, τὸ παρατεῖνον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον.

KJV—

JPSAnd Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.

ThomsonAnd Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven young bulls, and seven rams.

BrentonAnd Balaam said to Balac, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven calves, and seven rams.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλὰκ, οἰκοδόμησόν μοι ὧδε ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς, καὶ ἑτοίμασόν μοι ὧδε ἑπτὰ μόσχους, καὶ ἑπτὰ κριούς.

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

JPSAnd Balaam said unto Balak: ‘Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.’

ThomsonAnd Balak did as Balaam ordered him, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar.

BrentonAnd Balac did as Balaam told him, and offered a calf and a ram on every altar.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Βαλὰκ καθάπερ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλαάμ, καί ἀνήνεγκε μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν.

KJVAnd Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

JPSAnd Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.