Balak בָּלָק
King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel.
Who is Balak in the Bible?
Balak was the king of Moab who attempted to curse the Israelites as they approached the Promised Land (Numbers 22:2-4). Fearing Israel's large population, Balak hired the pagan prophet Balaam to pronounce a curse against them, offering him substantial rewards for his services (Numbers 22:5-6). However, despite Balak's repeated attempts and elaborate offerings, God commanded Balaam to bless Israel instead of cursing them, frustrating Balak's plans (Numbers 23-24). Balak's failed scheme is recalled in Scripture as a demonstration of God's faithfulness in protecting His people from their enemies, appearing in the testimonies of Joshua and Jephthah as well as in Micah's call to remember God's righteous acts (Joshua 24:9, Judges 11:25, Micah 6:5).
Biography
Balak was the king of Moab during the time when the Israelites were approaching the Promised Land (Num.22.4). Fearing the large number of Israelites, Balak hired the pagan prophet Balaam to curse them (Num.22.5-6). Despite Balak's repeated attempts and offerings, Balaam could only bless Israel as God commanded (Numbers 23-24). Balak became angry with Balaam for not cursing Israel and sent him away (Num.24.10-11). Balak is mentioned in the farewell speeches of Joshua (Jos.24.9) and Jephthah (Jdg.11.25) as an example of how God protected Israel from their enemies. The prophet Micah also refers to Balak's story as a reminder of God's righteousness (Mic.6.5). In Rev.2.14, Balak is associated with Balaam's scheme to entice Israel into idolatry and immorality. Balak's actions demonstrate the futility of opposing God's plan and people.
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In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 3 with study contentNumbers 5 verses
- Numbers 22:2
"Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,"
- Numbers 22:4
"So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,"
- Numbers 22:7
"The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak."
- Numbers 22:10
"And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:"
- Numbers 22:13
"So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”"
Joshua 1 verse
- Joshua 24:9
"Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,"
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Judges 1 verse
- Judges 11:25
"Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?"
Micah 1 verse
- Micah 6:5
"My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”"
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Revelation 1 verse
- Revelation 2:14
"But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בָּלָק |
| Greek | Greek | Βαλάκ |
Balak
; Jud 11:25; Mic 6:5; Re 2:14). He was the king of Moab who hired Balaam to pronounce a curse on the Israelites.
See BALAAM.
bal'-a-mon Balamon; (the King James Version, Balamo): In the field between Balamon and Dothaim Manasses, the husband of Judith, was buried (Judith 8:3). Compare Baal-hamon (So 8:11