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Numbers 22:6 - Can words defeat God's chosen?

Numbers 22:6 - במדבר 22:6

Hebrew Text

וְעַתָּה לְכָה־נָּא אָרָה־לִּי אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה כִּי־עָצוּם הוּא מִמֶּנִּי אוּלַי אוּכַל נַכֶּה־בּוֹ וַאֲגָרְשֶׁנּוּ מִן־הָאָרֶץ כִּי יָדַעְתִּי אֵת אֲשֶׁר־תְּבָרֵךְ מְבֹרָךְ וַאֲשֶׁר תָּאֹר יוּאָר׃

English Translation

come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: perhaps I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

Transliteration

Ve'ata lecha-na ara-li et-ha'am hazeh ki-atzum hu mimeni ulai uchal nakeh-bo va'agarshenu min-ha'aretz ki yadati et asher-tevarekh mevorach va'asher ta'or yu'ar.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְעַתָּה֩ לְכָה־נָּ֨א אָֽרָה־לִּ֜י אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֗ה כִּֽי־עָצ֥וּם הוּא֙ מִמֶּ֔נִּי אוּלַ֤י אוּכַל֙ נַכֶּה־בּ֔וֹ וַאֲגָרְשֶׁ֖נּוּ מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־תְּבָרֵךְ֙ מְבֹרָ֔ךְ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּאֹ֖ר יוּאָֽר׃
וְעַתָּה֩ לְכָה־נָּ֨א אָֽרָה־לִּ֜י אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֗ה כִּֽי־עָצ֥וּם הוּא֙ מִמֶּ֔נִּי אוּלַ֤י אוּכַל֙ נַכֶּה־בּ֔וֹ וַאֲגָרְשֶׁ֖נּוּ מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־תְּבָרֵךְ֙ מְבֹרָ֔ךְ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּאֹ֖ר יוּאָֽר׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 22:6) is part of the narrative involving Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, the non-Jewish prophet. Balak, fearing the Israelites after their victories over neighboring nations, seeks to hire Balaam to curse them, believing that Balaam's words hold divine power.

Balak's Request and Fear

Balak says, "come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me". Rashi explains that Balak recognized the military strength of the Israelites and sought supernatural means to weaken them, as conventional warfare had failed against them (Rashi on Numbers 22:6). The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:7) elaborates that Balak feared the Israelites because of their divine protection, symbolized by the clouds of glory that surrounded them in the wilderness.

Balaam's Reputation

Balak continues, "for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed". The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) discusses Balaam's unique prophetic abilities, noting that he was granted a level of divine insight comparable to that of Moshe Rabbeinu, though he used it for negative purposes. Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1) emphasizes that Balaam's power came from Hashem's temporary allowance, not from any inherent ability to bless or curse independently.

Theological Implications

  • Divine Sovereignty: The narrative underscores that blessings and curses are ultimately in Hashem's hands, as seen later when Balaam is unable to curse the Israelites against Hashem's will (Numbers 23:8).
  • Moral Lesson: The Sforno teaches that Balak's attempt to manipulate spiritual forces for harm reflects a misunderstanding of divine justice—true power lies in righteousness, not in curses.
  • Israel's Protection: The Midrash Tanchuma (Balak 4) highlights that the Israelites were immune to Balaam's curses because of their merit, particularly their commitment to Torah and mitzvot.

Balak's Misguided Strategy

Balak's words, "perhaps I shall prevail", reveal his uncertainty. The Kli Yakar (Numbers 22:6) explains that Balak hoped a curse would tip the scales in his favor, but his lack of faith in his own military strength showed his spiritual blindness. The Or HaChaim adds that Balak's fear stemmed from seeing the miracles performed for Israel, yet he refused to acknowledge Hashem's hand in their victories.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105b
The verse is discussed in the context of Balaam's attempt to curse the Israelites, highlighting the futility of his efforts due to divine protection over Israel.
📖 Sotah 11a
Referenced in a discussion about the power of blessings and curses, illustrating how Balaam's words were turned into blessings for Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is speaking in Numbers 22:6 and who is he talking to?
A: In this verse, Balak, the king of Moab, is speaking to Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet. Balak is asking Balaam to curse the Jewish people because he fears their growing power in the region.
Q: Why did Balak want to curse the Jewish people?
A: Balak feared the Jewish people because they had recently defeated powerful nations like Sichon and Og (Rashi on Numbers 22:2). As a pagan king, he believed in the power of curses and thought that by cursing Israel, he could weaken them militarily.
Q: What does 'he whom thou blessest is blessed' mean in this verse?
A: This shows that Balak recognized Balaam had a special connection to divine power. The Talmud (Bava Batra 15b) explains that Balaam was unique among non-Jewish prophets, and his blessings or curses carried weight - which is why Balak sought him out specifically.
Q: How does this verse relate to the Jewish concept of blessings and curses?
A: The Torah teaches that words have power, especially from righteous or spiritually connected individuals. This episode demonstrates that even a non-Jewish prophet like Balaam had this capacity, though ultimately Hashem controls all blessings and curses (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 3:7).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Balak's approach in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:7) teaches that Balak's mistake was thinking he could defeat Israel through supernatural means rather than dealing with them honestly. This shows the futility of trying to oppose the Jewish people when they are following Hashem's will.