Lexical Summary Balak: Balak Original Word: Βαλάκ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance BalakOf Hebrew origin (Balaq); Balak, a Moabite -- Balac. see HEBREW Balaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Balaq Definition Balak, a king of the Moabites NASB Translation Balak (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 904: ΒαλάκΒαλάκ, ὁ, indeclinable (בָּלַק empty (so Gesenius in his Thesaurus, but in his later works he adopts (with Fürst, et al.) an active sense 'one who makes empty,' 'a devastator,' 'spoiler'; see B. D. American edition, under the word)), Balak, king of the Moabites (Numbers 22:2f and elsewhere): Revelation 2:14. Topical Lexicon Name and Historical Setting Balak was the son of Zippor and king of Moab during Israel’s wilderness wanderings (Numbers 22:2). Confronted by the rapidly expanding nation encamped on his borders, he feared military defeat and cultural displacement. His political standing was tied to Moab’s fortunes; thus Israel’s presence posed an existential threat to his kingship. Old Testament Narrative (Numbers 22–24) • Balak sent elders with divination fees to enlist the soothsayer Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:5–7). Balak's Political and Spiritual Calculus Balak perceived Israel’s power as deriving from its covenantal relationship with the LORD. Unable to break that bond militarily, he sought to have it severed spiritually. His recourse to occult mediation and later to moral seduction reveals a worldview that measures victory not only by force but by manipulating divine favor. Association with Balaam While Balaam is the more prominent prophetic figure, Balak is the instigator. Scripture repeatedly pairs their names, underscoring that the sin of corrupt counsel requires both a willing prophet and a willing prince. Balak’s persistence pressured Balaam to test the boundaries of divine permission, exposing both men to judgment (Numbers 31:8). New Testament Reference (Revelation 2:14) “I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the sons of Israel”. Balak appears only here in the Greek New Testament (Βαλὰκ). The risen Christ cites him as a negative example to the church in Pergamum, warning that doctrinal compromise and moral laxity can infiltrate the covenant community just as effectively as overt persecution. Theological Themes and Ministry Applications 1. Spiritual Warfare Beyond the Battlefield: Balak’s resort to sorcery and seduction illustrates that attacks on God’s people often target worship and holiness rather than physical security. Lessons for the Church • Guard Doctrine: Pergamum’s tolerance of “the teaching of Balaam” shows how error can be smuggled in under cultural pressures. Related Passages for Further Study Summary Balak stands as a historical monarch and a theological warning. His failed attempt to curse Israel and his subsequent success in luring them into sin expose two perennial threats: external opposition and internal compromise. Revelation 2:14 elevates his account from ancient record to enduring admonition, urging every generation of believers to resist both the curse without and the compromise within. Forms and Transliterations Βαλακ Βαλὰκ βάλανον βάλανος βαλάνου βαλάνω Balak BalàkLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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