Numbers 23:18
New International Version
Then he spoke his message: “Arise, Balak, and listen; hear me, son of Zippor.

New Living Translation
This was the message Balaam delivered: “Rise up, Balak, and listen! Hear me, son of Zippor.

English Standard Version
And Balaam took up his discourse and said, “Rise, Balak, and hear; give ear to me, O son of Zippor:

Berean Standard Bible
Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.

King James Bible
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

New King James Version
Then he took up his oracle and said: “Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, son of Zippor!

New American Standard Bible
Then he took up his discourse and said, “Arise, Balak, and hear; Listen to me, son of Zippor!

NASB 1995
Then he took up his discourse and said, “Arise, O Balak, and hear; Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!

NASB 1977
Then he took up his discourse and said, “Arise, O Balak, and hear; Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he took up his discourse and said, “Arise, O Balak, and hear; Give ear to me, O son of Zippor!

Amplified Bible
Balaam took up his [second] discourse (oracle) and said: “Rise up, O Balak, and hear; Listen [closely] to me, son of Zippor.

Christian Standard Bible
Balaam proclaimed his poem: Balak, get up and listen; son of Zippor, pay attention to what I say!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Balaam proclaimed his poem: Balak, get up and listen; son of Zippor, pay attention to what I say!

American Standard Version
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; Hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

Contemporary English Version
Balaam answered: "Pay close attention to my words--

English Revised Version
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; Hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Balaam delivered this message: "Stand up, Balak, and listen! Hear me, son of Zippor!

Good News Translation
and Balaam uttered this prophecy: "Come, Balak son of Zippor, And listen to what I have to say.

International Standard Version
In response, Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: "Stand up, Balak, and pay attention! Listen to me, you son of Zippor!

NET Bible
Balaam uttered his oracle, and said, "Rise up, Balak, and hear; Listen to me, son of Zippor:

New Heart English Bible
He took up his parable, and said, "Rise up, Balak, and hear. Listen to me, you son of Zippor.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he took up his parable, and said, Rise, Balak, and hear; hearken to me, thou son of Zippor:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.

World English Bible
He took up his parable, and said, “Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, you son of Zippor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he takes up his allegory and says: “Rise, Balak, and hear; Give ear to me, son of Zippor!

Young's Literal Translation
And he taketh up his simile, and saith: 'Rise, Balak, and hear; Give ear unto me, son of Zippor!

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will take up his parable, and say, Rise up, Balak, and hear; and give ear to me, son of Zippor:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he taking up his parable, said: Stand, O Balac, and give ear: hear, thou son of Sephor:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But, taking up his parable, he said: “Stand, Balak, and pay attention. Listen, you son of Zippor.

New American Bible
Balaam recited his poem: Rise, Balak, and listen; give ear to my testimony, son of Zippor!

New Revised Standard Version
Then Balaam uttered his oracle, saying: “Rise, Balak, and hear; listen to me, O son of Zippor:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he took up his parable and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; and give ear to my testimony, O son of Zippor;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he lifted up his proverb and said, “Arise, Balaq and hear, and give ear to my testimony, son of Tsephor.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he took up his parable, and said: Arise, Balak, and hear; Give ear unto me, thou son of Zippor:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he took up his parable, and said, rise up, Balac, and hear; hearken as a witness, thou son of Sepphor.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balaam's Second Oracle
17So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked. 18Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor. 19God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 33:11
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Hebrews 6:17-18
So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. / Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

1 Samuel 15:29
Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”

Malachi 3:6
“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Romans 11:29
For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.

Titus 1:2
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

2 Timothy 2:13
if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Psalm 89:34
I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.

Isaiah 14:24
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.

Ezekiel 24:14
I, the LORD, have spoken; the time is coming, and I will act. I will not refrain or show pity, nor will I relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

John 10:35
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—


Treasury of Scripture

And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; listen to me, you son of Zippor:

rise up

Judges 3:20
And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

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Arise Attention Balaam Balak Discourse Ear Hear Hearken Oracle Parable Rise Uttered Words Zippor
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Numbers 23
1. Balak's sacrifices














Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:
Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is known for his unique role in the narrative of Numbers. His oracles are significant as they are divinely inspired messages delivered to Balak, the king of Moab. The term "oracle" indicates a solemn pronouncement, often associated with divine revelation. Balaam's oracles are unique as they come from a prophet outside of Israel, yet they affirm God's sovereignty and His plans for Israel. This moment underscores the theme that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes, even those outside the covenant community.

Arise, O Balak, and listen;
Balak, the king of Moab, is instructed to "arise" and "listen," emphasizing the importance and urgency of the message. The command to "arise" suggests a need for attention and respect towards the divine message. In the cultural context, kings were often seen as powerful and authoritative, yet here, Balak is reminded of his position under the authority of God's word. This reflects the biblical principle that all earthly rulers are subject to God's ultimate authority.

give ear to me, O son of Zippor.
The phrase "give ear" is a call for attentive listening, indicating that what follows is of great importance. By addressing Balak as the "son of Zippor," the text personalizes the message, reminding Balak of his identity and lineage. This can be seen as a humbling reminder that despite his royal status, he is still a man under God's dominion. The use of lineage also connects to the broader biblical theme of generational legacy and the impact of one's actions on future generations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is called upon by Balak to curse the Israelites. Despite his intentions, God uses him to bless Israel instead.

2. Balak
The king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites due to their numbers and past victories. He seeks Balaam's help to curse them.

3. Moab
A region east of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Moabites, who are descendants of Lot. Moab is the setting for this account.

4. Israelites
The people of God, who are journeying to the Promised Land. They are the subject of Balak's fear and Balaam's oracles.

5. Oracle
A divine message or prophecy. In this context, it refers to the words spoken by Balaam under God's influence.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Human Intentions
Despite human plans, God's purposes prevail. Balaam's attempt to curse Israel is transformed into a blessing, demonstrating God's control over all situations.

The Power of God's Word
Balaam's oracle underscores the authority and power of God's word. When God speaks, His word accomplishes His will, regardless of human opposition.

Listening to God's Voice
Balak is instructed to "rise up and hear," emphasizing the importance of being attentive to God's messages. We should prioritize listening to God's voice in our lives.

God's Protection Over His People
The account illustrates God's protective nature over Israel. Believers can find assurance in God's promise to protect and bless His people.

The Danger of Opposing God's Will
Balak's attempt to curse Israel is futile against God's will. This serves as a warning against opposing God's plans and purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 23:18?

2. How does Numbers 23:18 demonstrate God's unchanging nature in our daily lives?

3. What can we learn from Balaam's message about God's faithfulness to His promises?

4. How does Numbers 23:18 connect with God's truthfulness in Titus 1:2?

5. How should Balaam's proclamation influence our trust in God's word today?

6. In what ways can we apply Balaam's declaration to strengthen our faith journey?

7. What is the significance of Balaam's message in Numbers 23:18 for believers today?

8. How does Numbers 23:18 reflect God's sovereignty over human plans?

9. Why does Balaam emphasize listening in Numbers 23:18?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23?

11. What is the Doctrine of Balaam?

12. Numbers 23:8-10: How credible is it that a pagan prophet blesses Israel despite a king's demand to curse them, considering other biblical narratives?

13. Numbers 23: Why does this chapter imply a favorable view of Israel among foreign nations while other Old Testament accounts describe hostility and conflict?

14. Numbers 23:1-2: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting Balaam's elaborate sacrifices on seven altars with seven bulls and seven rams?
What Does Numbers 23:18 Mean
Then Balaam lifted up an oracle

Numbers 23:18 opens with a scene-shifting statement: “Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying…”

• Balaam has already acknowledged in 22:38 and 23:5 that he can speak only what the LORD puts in his mouth. Even a prophet-for-hire is now a mouthpiece for divine truth, much like God later uses Caiaphas in John 11:49-52.

• Scripture repeatedly shows God overriding human motives to fulfill His own purposes (Genesis 50:20; Proverbs 19:21). Balaam’s lifted “oracle” signals that what follows carries the same authoritative weight as any other prophetic word.

• New-Testament writers confirm Balaam’s historical reality and spiritual lesson (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11); his words here are every bit as literal and trustworthy as the rest of Scripture.


Arise, O Balak

The oracle begins with a command: “Arise.”

• In biblical narrative, being told to rise often precedes a solemn encounter with God’s word—think of Ezekiel 2:1, Acts 9:6, or Jonah 1:2.

• Balak, king of Moab (Numbers 22:2-4), expected curses on Israel; instead, God summons him to stand respectfully before a blessing. The reversal mirrors Psalm 2:4-6, where earthly rulers plot in vain against God’s decree.

• The call to rise underscores accountability. Balak may be a king, but he will still answer to the King of kings (Exodus 9:16; Daniel 4:37).


and listen

The next imperative is “listen.”

• Hearing is the doorway to obedience (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Romans 10:17). Balak cannot claim ignorance once the word is spoken.

• When Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15), He echoed this same expectation: revelation demands response.

• Balaam, ironically, becomes a preacher of divine attentiveness even while harboring personal compromise (Revelation 2:14 shows his later downfall). God’s truth is flawless, even through flawed vessels.


give ear to me

Repetition deepens the appeal.

• “Give ear” is covenant language used by Moses (“Give ear, O heavens,” Deuteronomy 32:1) and the psalmists (Psalm 78:1). It signals a formal proclamation that affects nations.

• The double emphasis—listen, give ear—amplifies urgency. Balak has summoned Balaam three times; now Balaam, under God’s direction, summons Balak. Roles reverse, underscoring who truly holds authority (Isaiah 46:9-10).

• In practical terms, the verse models how God’s people should approach His Word: stop, stand, and tune in with undivided attention (James 1:22-25).


O son of Zippor

The oracle closes its opening address by naming Balak’s lineage.

• Scripture often uses patronymics to stress personal responsibility (1 Kings 21:29; Luke 3:23-38). Balak is not just “king”; he is a man, son of Zippor, answerable for his own decisions.

• The reminder that Balak’s authority is inherited, not innate, puts him in contrast with Israel’s God, whose authority is self-existent (Exodus 3:14).

• By spotlighting Balak’s earthly lineage, the text hints at the limits of human power when confronting the Sovereign LORD (Psalm 33:10-11).


summary

Numbers 23:18 is far more than an introduction. Each phrase stacks layer upon layer of meaning: God can commandeer any voice, commands every ruler to rise before Him, and twice summons attentive hearing. By tagging Balak’s human pedigree, He shows that no lineage or throne exempts anyone from divine authority. The verse sets the stage for the blessing that follows, affirming that God’s covenant promises to Israel stand unassailable, and every attempt to curse what God has blessed will ultimately serve His glory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Balaam lifted up
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א (way·yiś·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

an oracle,
מְשָׁל֖וֹ (mə·šā·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4912: A pithy maxim, a simile

saying:
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Arise,
ק֤וּם (qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

O Balak,
בָּלָק֙ (bā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

and listen;
וּֽשֲׁמָ֔ע (ū·šă·mā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

give
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה (ha·’ă·zî·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

ear to me,
עָדַ֖י (‘ā·ḏay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

O son
בְּנ֥וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

of Zippor.
צִפֹּֽר׃ (ṣip·pōr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6834: Zippor -- 'bird', father of Balak


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OT Law: Numbers 23:18 He took up his parable and said (Nu Num.)
Numbers 23:17
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