Numbers 23:1 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Balaam said to Balak, 'Build seven altars for me here, and get seven bulls and seven rams ready for me.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Balaam is asking King Balak to prepare an elaborate religious ceremony with seven altars and fourteen animals for sacrifice.

📚 Historical Context

In the Book of Numbers, Balaam was a prophet from outside Israel who was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites as they approached the Promised Land, fearing their growing power. However, God had explicitly instructed Balaam not to curse His people, leading Balaam to demand the building of seven altars and the preparation of sacrifices as a ritual to seek divine guidance. This reflects ancient Near Eastern customs where such offerings were used to consult deities or prophets for important decisions.

NextNumbers 23:2

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Explore Similar Verses

Numbers 23:29

And Balaam said to Balak, 'Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.'

Numbers 23:14

So Balak brought Balaam to the field of Zophim, on top of Mount Pisgah, and built seven altars there. He offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Numbers 23:2

And Balak did exactly what Balaam had told him to do; and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

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