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Numbers 23:7 - Can curses become blessings?

Numbers 23:7 - במדבר 23:7

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ וַיֹּאמַר מִן־אֲרָם יַנְחֵנִי בָלָק מֶלֶךְ־מוֹאָב מֵהַרְרֵי־קֶדֶם לְכָה אָרָה־לִּי יַעֲקֹב וּלְכָה זֹעֲמָה יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And he took up his discourse, and said, Balaq the king of Mo᾽av has brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Ya῾aqov, and come, denounce Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Va'yisa meshalo va'yomar min-Aram yan'cheni Balak melech-Moav me'harei-kedem lecha ara-li Ya'akov ul'cha zo'ama Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר מִן־אֲ֠רָ֠ם יַנְחֵ֨נִי בָלָ֤ק מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ מֵֽהַרְרֵי־קֶ֔דֶם לְכָה֙ אָֽרָה־לִּ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וּלְכָ֖ה זֹעֲמָ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א מְשָׁל֖וֹ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר מִן־אֲ֠רָ֠ם יַנְחֵ֨נִי בָלָ֤ק מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ מֵֽהַרְרֵי־קֶ֔דֶם לְכָה֙ אָֽרָה־לִּ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וּלְכָ֖ה זֹעֲמָ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 23:7) is part of the narrative where Balak, king of Moab, hires the gentile prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam, though initially reluctant, is ultimately compelled by Hashem to bless Israel instead. The verse marks the beginning of Balaam's first prophetic discourse, where he recounts Balak's request.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַיִּשָּׂא מְשָׁלוֹ" ("And he took up his discourse") indicates that Balaam was preparing to deliver a prophetic message, often in poetic form. Rashi notes that Balaam mentions "מִן־אֲרָם" ("from Aram") to emphasize his distant origin, suggesting that Balak sought him from afar due to his reputation for effective blessings and curses (Rashi on Numbers 23:7).

Balak's Motivation

Balak's fear of Israel is highlighted in the verse, as he seeks to weaken them through supernatural means rather than direct confrontation. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:1) elaborates that Balak understood the power of words and sought to use Balaam's curses to undermine Israel's divine protection.

Balaam's Reluctance

Despite Balak's insistence, Balaam's words are ultimately controlled by Hashem. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) discusses how Balaam, though wicked, was granted temporary prophetic ability to fulfill Hashem's will, demonstrating that even a gentile prophet cannot curse Israel if Hashem decrees otherwise.

Symbolism of "Mountains of the East"

The phrase "מֵהַרְרֵי־קֶדֶם" ("from the mountains of the east") is interpreted by the Ramban (Nachmanides) as a reference to Balaam's homeland in Mesopotamia, a region associated with ancient wisdom and idolatry. This contrasts with Israel's divine connection to Mount Sinai, the true source of prophecy.

The Futility of Cursing Israel

  • The verse underscores the futility of Balak's request, as later passages reveal that Balaam blesses Israel instead.
  • The Sforno explains that Balaam's inability to curse Israel reflects the principle that "No weapon formed against you shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17), as Israel's destiny is protected by Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105b
The verse is discussed in the context of Balaam's prophecies and his interactions with Balak, king of Moab, highlighting the divine intervention that prevented Balaam from cursing Israel.
📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the futility of Balak's attempts to curse Israel, emphasizing God's protection over His people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Numbers 23:7?
A: Numbers 23:7 records the words of Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Jewish people. Instead of cursing them, Balaam blesses them, showing that God protects Israel. Rashi explains that Balaam was brought from Aram to use his supposed power of curses against Jacob (Israel), but God turned his words into blessings.
Q: Why did Balak want to curse the Jewish people?
A: Balak, the king of Moab, feared the Israelites after seeing their victories in battle (Numbers 22:2-3). According to the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:1), Balak believed that if he could get Balaam to curse them, he could weaken them militarily. However, God prevented Balaam from cursing Israel, showing that no human can override divine protection over the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 23:7?
A: This verse teaches that no enemy can truly harm the Jewish people when they are under God's protection. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:8) explains that divine providence watches over Israel, and no curse or scheme against them will succeed if they remain faithful to Torah. It also shows that even a non-Jewish prophet like Balaam had to acknowledge God's will.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jewish life today?
A: This verse reminds us that despite historical and modern enemies who seek to harm the Jewish people, God's protection endures. The Talmud (Berachot 7a) teaches that blessings and curses depend on divine will, not human words. Jews today can take comfort in knowing that, just as in Balaam's time, no curse can prevail against Israel when they follow Torah.
Q: Why does Balaam refer to Israel as 'Jacob' in this verse?
A: Rashi (on Numbers 23:7) explains that Balaam used the name 'Jacob' to imply that the Jewish people were still on the level of their forefather Jacob—who struggled with challenges—rather than 'Israel,' the name representing spiritual greatness. However, God forced Balaam to bless them as 'Israel,' showing their elevated status. The Midrash (Tanchuma Balak 4) adds that this teaches that enemies try to diminish Israel, but God upholds their true dignity.