Numbers 23:8

How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?

In Context

7And in the words which the Lord had given him he said, From Aram Balak has sent for me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East: come, put curses on Jacob for me and be angry with Israel.

9From the top of the rocks I see him, looking down on him from the hills: it is a people made separate, not to be numbered among the nations.

Read all of Numbers 23

Cross References

Numbers 22:12And God said to Balaam, You are not to go with them, or put a curse on this people, for they have my blessing.

Numbers 23:23No evil power has effect against Jacob, no secret arts against Israel; at the right time it will be said of Jacob and of Israel, See what God has done!

Isaiah 44:25Who makes the signs of those who give word of the future come to nothing, so that those who have knowledge of secret arts go off their heads; turning the wise men back, and making their knowledge foolish:

Matthew Henry on Numbers 23:2-13

Balaam Constrained to Bless Israel; The Blessing Pronounced on Israel. ( b. c. 1452.) 1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the Lord will come to meet me: and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. 4 And God met Balaam: and he… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Numbers 23:8