Numbers 22:12 - Divine protection for Israel's blessing.

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־בִּלְעָם לֹא תֵלֵךְ עִמָּהֶם לֹא תָאֹר אֶת־הָעָם כִּי בָרוּךְ הוּא׃

English Translation

And God said to Bil῾am, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Transliteration

Vayomer Elohim el-Bil'am lo telekh imahem lo ta'or et-ha'am ki barukh hu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֔ם לֹ֥א תֵלֵ֖ךְ עִמָּהֶ֑ם לֹ֤א תָאֹר֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם כִּ֥י בָר֖וּךְ הֽוּא׃

Parasha Commentary

Divine Prohibition Against Cursing Israel

The verse (Numbers 22:12) records Hashem's command to Bil'am not to accompany Balak's messengers or curse Bnei Yisrael, stating "כִּי בָרוּךְ הוּא" - "for they are blessed." Rashi explains that this refers to the blessings given to the Patriarchs (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov), which cannot be revoked. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) elaborates that Bil'am's power was limited - he could only curse when divine wrath was present, but since Israel was in a state of divine favor, his curses would be ineffective.

The Nature of Israel's Blessed Status

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:3) derives from this verse that when Hashem decrees good upon Israel, no power can nullify it. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) compares Israel's blessing to a sealed document that cannot be altered. The phrase "בָרוּךְ הוּא" uses the singular ("he is blessed") to teach that Israel's blessing stems from their unity as one nation before Hashem (Sforno).

Bil'am's Restricted Prophecy

Rabbeinu Bachya notes that Bil'am received this prophecy at night, indicating his lower level of prophecy compared to Moshe. The Kli Yakar emphasizes that Hashem's command "לֹא תֵלֵךְ עִמָּהֶם" ("do not go with them") implies Bil'am should not even associate with those seeking Israel's harm, teaching the importance of distancing from negative influences.

Practical Lessons

The permanence of divine blessings given to our ancestors
The futility of attempting to harm those under Hashem's protection
The need to avoid association with those who wish ill upon Israel
The superiority of Israel's prophets over gentile prophets like Bil'am

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105b

The verse is discussed in the context of Balaam's (Bil'am) prophecy and his inability to curse the Israelites because they were blessed by God.

📖 Nedarim 31a

The verse is referenced in a discussion about vows and the power of blessings and curses, highlighting that Balaam could not curse the Israelites as they were blessed by God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 22:12 mean when it says 'for they are blessed'?
A: The verse means that the Jewish people (referred to as 'the people') are inherently blessed by Hashem, as Rashi explains based on the blessings given to the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov). Since Bil'am wanted to curse them, Hashem told him it was impossible because they already carry divine blessings.

Q: Why did Hashem tell Bil'am not to go with Balak's messengers?
A: Hashem knew Bil'am's intentions were not pure, as the Midrash explains that Bil'am secretly wanted to curse the Jewish people. By telling him not to go, Hashem was giving him a chance to avoid sin. Later, when Bil'am insisted, Hashem allowed him to go but with restrictions (as seen in later verses).

Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 22:12 today?
A: This verse teaches that no human curse can override Hashem's blessings. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) emphasizes that divine protection is with those who follow Torah, and no evil speech or curse can harm them if they remain faithful to Hashem's will.

Q: Why couldn't Bil'am curse the Jewish people even though he was a powerful prophet?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) explains that Bil'am's power was limited—he could only curse when Hashem permitted it. Since the Jewish people were under divine protection (as descendants of Avraham's blessings), Hashem did not allow Bil'am's curses to take effect, showing that true blessing comes only from Hashem.