Numbers 23:8

How can I curse whom the Lord curses not? or how can I devote whom God devotes not?

Brenton Septuagint

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 he took up his parable, and said, Balac king of Moab sent for me out of Mesopotamia, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and Come, call for a curse for me upon Israel.

9For from the top of the mountains I shall see him, and from the hills I shall observe him: behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

Read all of Numbers 23

Cross References

Numbers 22:12And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them, neither shalt thou curse the people; for they are blessed.

Numbers 23:23For there is no divination + 23:23 Or, against.in Jacob, nor enchantment + 23:23 Or, against.in Israel; in season it shall be told to Jacob and Israel + 23:23 Or, what shall God perform?what God shall perform.

Isaiah 44:25Who else will frustrate the tokens of + 44:25 Gr. ventriloquists.those that have divining spirits, and prophecies + 44:25 See Heb.from the heart of man? turning the wise back, and making their counsel foolishness;

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