Parashat Balak (בָּלָק – “Balak”)

Numbers 22:2–25:9

1. Balak Seeks to Curse Israel

Numbers 22:2–20

• Balak, king of Moab, sees what Israel did to the Amorites and fears their growing power.

• He sends messengers to Balaam, a pagan diviner, asking him to curse Israel so Moab can defeat them.

• Balaam consults God, who forbids him to go with the messengers:

  “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Num. 22:12)

• Balak sends more prestigious messengers with promises of reward. God allows Balaam to go, but only on the condition that he speaks only what God tells him.

2. Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel

Numbers 22:21–35

• On the way, Balaam’s donkey sees an angel blocking the path and refuses to go forward.

• Balaam strikes the donkey three times, and then God opens the donkey’s mouth:

  “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Num. 22:28)

• The Lord then opens Balaam’s eyes to see the angel. Balaam repents, and the angel warns him again to only speak what God commands.

3. Balaam’s Blessings Instead of Curses

Numbers 23–24

• Balak brings Balaam to several locations to curse Israel, but each time Balaam blesses them instead.

• Key declarations include:

  • “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?” (23:8)

  • “Behold, a people who dwell apart and will not be reckoned among the nations.” (23:9)

  • “There is no sorcery against Jacob, nor divination against Israel.” (23:23)

  • “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob…” (24:5) – a verse still used in Jewish liturgy today.

4. Israel’s Sin with Moab and Midian

Numbers 25:1–9

• Despite the failed curses, Balaam later advises Balak to entice Israel into sin.

• Israel begins to commit sexual immorality and idolatry with Moabite women and worships Baal of Peor.

• God’s anger burns, and a plague breaks out among the people.

• Phinehas (Pinchas), son of Eleazar the priest, takes a spear and kills an Israelite man and a Midianite woman in the act, stopping the plague.

• 24,000 die before the plague is halted.

Messianic Insight:

• Balaam’s prophecy of the star and scepter (Num. 24:17) is seen as pointing to Messiah—the ruler who will arise from Israel.

• The contrast between Balaam’s intended curse and God’s sovereign blessing shows how God can turn the enemy’s intentions into His purposes (cf. Romans 8:28).

• The narrative is a powerful reminder that God protects His people, yet requires covenantal faithfulness.