Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is speaking in Numbers 22:17 and to whom?
A: In Numbers 22:17, King Balak of Moab is speaking to Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet. Balak is offering Balaam great honor and rewards in exchange for cursing the Jewish people, whom he fears because of their victories in battle.
Q: Why did Balak want Balaam to curse the Jewish people?
A: Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Jewish people because he feared their growing power and victories over neighboring nations (as described in Numbers 22:2-3). According to Rashi, Balak believed that if Balaam—who had spiritual power—cursed them, he could weaken or defeat them militarily.
Q: What is the significance of Balak's offer to Balaam in this verse?
A: Balak's offer shows how far he was willing to go to oppose the Jewish people, even seeking supernatural means through Balaam. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) discusses how Balak's persistence highlights the ongoing spiritual battle against the Jewish people and the importance of divine protection.
Q: How does this verse relate to the broader story of Balaam and Balak?
A: This verse sets up the central conflict in the story—Balak's attempt to use Balaam to harm the Jewish people. However, as the narrative continues (Numbers 22-24), we see that Hashem prevents Balaam from cursing Israel and instead forces him to bless them, demonstrating divine protection over the Jewish nation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Balak's actions in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:7) teaches that Balak's hatred and fear of the Jewish people blinded him to the truth—that Hashem protects them. This teaches us that opposing the Jewish people is ultimately futile when it goes against divine will, and true success comes from aligning with righteousness.
Context of the Verse
This verse (Numbers 22:17) is part of the narrative where Balak, the king of Moab, sends messengers to Balaam, urging him to curse the Israelites. Balak fears the Israelites due to their military successes and seeks supernatural intervention to weaken them. The verse reflects Balak's desperation and his willingness to offer great rewards to Balaam in exchange for his cooperation.
Analysis of the Phrase "כִּי־כַבֵּד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ מְאֹד"
Rashi explains that Balak's promise to honor Balaam "very greatly" (מְאֹד) indicates his excessive flattery and attempts to entice Balaam with material wealth and prestige. The doubling of the verb (כַבֵּד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ) emphasizes the magnitude of the promised reward, a common rhetorical device in Tanach to express intensity (see Rashi on Numbers 22:17).
Balak's Request: "וּלְכָה־נָּא קָבָה־לִּי אֵת הָעָם הַזֶּה"
The Malbim notes that Balak's language reveals his misunderstanding of divine power. He assumes Balaam can arbitrarily curse the Israelites, not recognizing that a prophet can only speak what Hashem permits. The term "קָבָה" (curse) is specifically chosen, as Balak believes a curse will diminish the Israelites' divine protection (Malbim on Numbers 22:17).
Balak's Motives and Character
Contrast with Balaam's Later Stance
Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:5) references this episode to illustrate how even someone like Balaam, who initially entertained Balak's request, ultimately recognized that prophecy cannot be manipulated for personal gain. This verse sets the stage for Balaam's eventual acknowledgment that he can only speak the words Hashem places in his mouth (Numbers 22:38).