Numbers 23:8

How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?

Berean Standard Bible

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 Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’

9For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.

Read all of Numbers 23

Cross References

Numbers 22:12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

Numbers 23:23For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’

Isaiah 44:25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

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