Numbers 23:30 So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

◄ Numbers 23:30 ►

New International Version
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

New Living Translation
So Balak did as Balaam ordered and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.

English Standard Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Berean Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Berean Literal Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

King James Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

New King James Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar.

New American Standard Bible
Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

NASB 1995
Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

NASB 1977
And Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Balak did just as Balaam had said and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.

Amplified Bible
Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Berean Annotated Bible
So Balak (devastator) did as Balaam (not of the people) had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Christian Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

American Standard Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Contemporary English Version
After Balak had done what Balaam asked, he sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar.

English Revised Version
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Balak did what Balaam told him, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Good News Translation
Balak did as he was told, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

International Standard Version
Balak did just what Balaam had instructed—he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

NET Bible
So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

New Heart English Bible
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

World English Bible
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and Balak does as Balaam said, and he offers a bullock and a ram on an altar.

Berean Literal Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Young's Literal Translation
and Balak doth as Balaam said, and he offereth a bullock and a ram on an altar.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Balak will do as Balaam said, and he will bring up a bullock, and a ram, upon the altar.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Balac did as Balaam had said: and he laid on every altar, a calf and a ram.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Balak did as Balaam had said, and he placed on each altar a calf and a ram.

New American Bible
And Balak did as Balaam had ordered, offering a bull and a ram on each altar.

New Revised Standard Version
So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Translations from Aramaic

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

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Balaq did as Balaam said to him, and he offered up bulls and rams on the altar.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Balac did as Balaam told him, and offered a calf and a ram on every altar.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾)

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Context

Balaam's Second Oracle
…29Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” 30So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

So Balak did as Balaam had instructed,

Numbers 22:40
Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.

Exodus 40:16
Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.

Genesis 6:22
So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.

and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

2 Chronicles 29:21-24
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD. / So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and splattered it on the altar. They slaughtered the rams and splattered the blood on the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs and splattered the blood on the altar. / Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them. …

Numbers 7:15-17
one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; / one male goat for a sin offering; / and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.

Leviticus 8:18-21
Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. / Moses slaughtered the ram and splattered the blood on all sides of the altar. / He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces, and the fat. …

Numbers 24:1-2
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. / When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

Numbers 22:41
The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.

Numbers 24:10
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

Numbers 22:5-6
he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. / So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”

Numbers 24:13
that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

Numbers 22:12
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

Numbers 24:25
Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.

Numbers 22:20
That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

Numbers 24:17
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

Numbers 22:35
But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Treasury of Scripture

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

saw

Numbers 22:13
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

Numbers 23:20
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

at other times

Numbers 23:3,15
And 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…

to seek for enchantments.

Numbers 23:23
Surely 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!

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Numbers 23

1. Balak's sacrifices

(追記) (追記ここまで)

Study Bible Book ◦ Chapter

So Balak did as Balaam had instructed,

Balak continued to follow Balaam’s direction because he desperately sought a curse against Israel. From the heights of Peor, overlooking the wilderness and Israel’s camp, the king of Moab confronted the unchanging purpose of God. Though Balak employed a renowned diviner and followed every prescribed ritual, neither royal authority nor pagan spiritual practice could overturn the Lord’s covenant blessing upon His people.

Num 22:40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions…
Exo 40:16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.
Gen 6:22 So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.

and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Seven altars had been prepared, and Balak supplied a costly sacrifice on every one. Bulls and rams were valuable animals and were commonly offered in worship, yet the abundance of sacrifices could not purchase God’s favor or compel Him to speak against Israel. The offerings exposed the futility of attempting to manipulate the Lord through ritual while opposing His revealed will. God would not permit Israel to be cursed, for He had redeemed them from Egypt and pledged Himself to bless them.

2Ch 29:21-24 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, and seven lambs…
Num 7:15-17 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old…
Lev 8:18-21 Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering,…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Balak
The king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam.

2. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak to curse the Israelites but is ultimately used by God to bless them instead.

3. Moab
The region ruled by Balak, located east of the Dead Sea, representing opposition to Israel.

4. Altars
Structures built by Balak and Balaam for the purpose of offering sacrifices, hoping to gain favor for cursing Israel.

5. Sacrifices
The bull and ram offered on each altar, representing attempts to manipulate divine favor.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God Over Human Desires
Balaam's account reminds us that God's will prevails over human intentions. We must prioritize obedience to God over personal gain or pressure from others.

The Futility of Opposing God's People
Balak's efforts to curse Israel demonstrate the futility of opposing God's chosen people. As believers, we can trust in God's protection and promises.

The Role of Sacrifices
The sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam highlight the misunderstanding of true worship. True worship requires a heart aligned with God's will, not mere ritualistic offerings.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human attempts to manipulate outcomes, God's sovereignty ensures that His purposes are fulfilled. We can find peace in knowing that God is in control.

The Danger of Compromise
Balaam's willingness to entertain Balak's request serves as a warning against compromising our faith for worldly benefits. We must remain steadfast in our convictions.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the meaning of Numbers 23:30?

2. How does Numbers 23:30 demonstrate Balaam's obedience to God's instructions?

3. What role does sacrifice play in Balaam's interaction with Balak in Numbers 23:30?

4. How can Numbers 23:30 inspire us to follow God's commands in our lives?

5. What connections exist between Numbers 23:30 and other Old Testament sacrificial practices?

6. How does Numbers 23:30 illustrate the importance of preparation in spiritual matters?

7. What is the significance of Balaam's sacrifices in Numbers 23:30?

8. How does Numbers 23:30 reflect God's relationship with Israel?

9. Why does Balaam follow Balak's instructions in Numbers 23:30?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23?

What Does Numbers 23:30 Mean

So Balak did

• The Moabite king responds promptly, showing the seriousness with which he pursues Balaam’s curse on Israel (Numbers 22:4–6).

• His swift obedience underscores how fear of God’s people can drive even pagan rulers to comply with prophetic instruction, echoing Pharaoh’s reluctant submission in Exodus 10:16–17.

• This action fulfills God’s sovereign plan despite Balak’s hostile intent, just as “The LORD foils the plans of the nations” (Psalm 33:10).

as Balaam had instructed

• Balaam’s directions reveal that he recognizes the true God’s supremacy, though his heart remains compromised (Numbers 22:18–19).

• This scene reminds us of Caiaphas, who unwittingly prophesied truth while opposing Christ (John 11:49–52).

• God uses flawed messengers to accomplish His purposes, reinforcing Romans 11:29: “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.”

and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar

• Seven altars with identical sacrifices mirror Job’s intercessory offerings for his children (Job 1:5), pointing to completeness and earnestness.

• Bulls and rams were standard burnt offerings (Leviticus 1:3–10), symbolizing whole devotion; yet here they are misapplied toward a corrupt goal.

• The repetition of sacrifice after sacrifice (Numbers 23:1–2, 14) highlights that ritual cannot sway God against His covenant people (Numbers 23:8, 20).

• Balak’s costly effort contrasts sharply with God’s free blessing promised to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:3).

summary

Numbers 23:30 captures a pagan king’s earnest yet futile attempt to manipulate the Almighty through ritual, carried out exactly as the prophet directed. Balak’s obedience, Balaam’s compromised leadership, and the repeated sacrifices all converge to display God’s unassailable commitment to bless Israel. The verse reminds believers that no amount of human scheming can overturn God’s declared purposes, and that He can even employ reluctant or unrighteous agents to advance His redemptive plan.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So Balak
בָּלָ֔ק (bā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

did
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Balaam
בִּלְעָ֑ם (bil·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet

had instructed,
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

and he offered
וַיַּ֛עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

a bull
פָּ֥ר (pār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer

and a ram
וָאַ֖יִל (wā·’a·yil)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree

on each altar.
בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (bam·miz·bê·aḥ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

Additonal Resources

Numbers 23:30 Blue Letter Bible
Numbers 23:30 Bible Gateway
Numbers 23:30 Bible.com

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Numbers 23:30 Study Bible
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Numbers 23:30 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 23:30 Balak did as Balaam had said (Nu Num.)