Numbers 23:8

How can I curse whom the Lord curses not? 1 Or how can I devote whom God devotes not? 1

Updated 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, 1 Balak king of Moab sent for me out of Mesopotamia, 1 Out of the mountains of the east, saying, 1 Come, curse me Jacob, 1 And Come, call for a curse for me upon Israel. 1

9For from the top of the mountains I shall see him, 1 And from the hills I shall observe him: 1 Behold, the people shall dwell alone, 1 And shall not be reckoned among the nations. 1

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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 in Jacob, 1 Nor enchantment in Israel; 1 In season it shall be told to Jacob and Israel 1 What God shall perform. 1

Isaiah 44:25Who else will frustrate the tokens of those that have divining spirits, and prophecies 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