בָּלָק (ba.laq)
ba.laq
Balak
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Balak means "devastator" or "waster," a title that reflects the turbulent times in which he ruled Moab. He appears primarily in the book of Numbers as the king who saw the Israelites arriving and felt threatened by their growing numbers. His story is not just about political fear but about spiritual opposition, as he sought to use supernatural means to stop God’s people.
Balak is best known for hiring the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, hoping that a spoken curse would drive them away or defeat them in battle. Despite his high status and resources, Balak remained powerless against divine protection. The narrative shows him repeatedly trying to position Balaam on different heights to find a favorable vantage point, only to have every attempt result in blessings instead of curses.
His name is remembered later in Scripture as a symbol of failed opposition. In Judges and Micah, Balak is mentioned briefly to remind readers that Moab’s attempts to harm Israel were thwarted by God. The sources highlight that while Balak had the power of a king, he did not have the authority to change God’s purpose for His people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Balak means "devastator," yet his story reveals that human power cannot override divine protection. When he saw Israel arriving, fear drove him to seek supernatural help against God’s people. He hired Balaam, hoping a curse would stop them, but every attempt failed because God had already blessed Israel.
This narrative reminds us that no opposition can thwart God’s purposes for those He has chosen. Balak’s resources and status meant nothing when faced with the Lord’s will. It is a comfort to know that spiritual attacks, like political fears, are subject to God’s sovereignty.
When you face situations where enemies seem strong or plans seem blocked, remember that God’s blessing stands firm. You do not need to fight in your own strength. Trust that the same God who turned curses into blessings is watching over His people today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Balak39×
- to/ Balak1×
- more than/ Balak1×
- and/ Balak1×
- O Balak1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּלָק֙7×
- בָּלָ֖ק7×
- בָּלָ֔ק6×
- בָּלָ֑ק5×
- בָּלָ֧ק2×
- בָּלָ֜ק2×
- בָּלָ֗ק2×
- בָלָֽק\׃2×
- בָלָ֔ק2×
- מִ/בָּלָ֥ק1×
- לְ/בָלָ֗ק1×
- וּ/בָלָ֧ק1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 22:2
Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
This verse introduces Balak’s fear as he observes Israel’s victory, setting the stage for his spiritual opposition.
-
Numbers 23:11
Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether.”
Balak expresses frustration here because his attempt to curse Israel resulted in a blessing instead.
-
Numbers 23:7
He took up his parable, and said, “From Aram has Balak brought me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East. Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, defy Israel.
Balaam’s oracle highlights the irony that Balak brought him specifically to defy Israel, yet God used him to bless them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Balak mean?
Why did Balak hire Balaam?
What happened when Balak tried to curse Israel?
Every Occurrence (40 verses across 4 books)
Numbers 37 verses
Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Numbers 22:4Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this multitude will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass…
Numbers 22:7The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. They came to Balaam,…
Numbers 22:10Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has said to me,
Numbers 22:13Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to…
Numbers 22:14The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
Numbers 22:15Balak again sent princes, more, and more honorable than they.
Numbers 22:16They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Balak the son of Zippor says, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
Numbers 22:18Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the…
Numbers 22:35Yahweh’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.” So…
Numbers 22:36When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the…
Numbers 22:37Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed…
Numbers 22:38Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word…
Numbers 22:39Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth.
Numbers 22:40Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him.
Numbers 22:41In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the…
Numbers 23:1Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”
Numbers 23:2Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram.
Numbers 23:3Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me. Whatever he…
Numbers 23:5Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”
Numbers 23:7He took up his parable, and said, “From Aram has Balak brought me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East.…
Numbers 23:11Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them…
Numbers 23:13Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, where you may see them. You shall see just part of them, and…
Numbers 23:15He said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet God over there.”
Numbers 23:16Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”
Numbers 23:17He came to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. Balak said to him,…
Numbers 23:18He took up his parable, and said, “Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, you son of Zippor.
Numbers 23:25Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”
Numbers 23:26But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘All that Yahweh speaks, that I must do’?”
Numbers 23:27Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them…
Numbers 23:28Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
Numbers 23:29Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.”
Numbers 23:30Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.
Numbers 24:10Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my…
Numbers 24:12Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,
Numbers 24:13‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Yahweh’s word, to do either good or bad…
Numbers 24:25Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.