Original Word: בָּלָק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Balaq
Pronunciation: bah-LAHK
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-lawk')
KJV: Balak
NASB: Balak, Balak's
Word Origin: [from H1110 (בָּלַק - devastates)]

1. waster
2. Balak, a Moabitish king

Balak

From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king -- Balak.

see HEBREW balaq

Word Origin
from balaq
Definition
"devastator," a Moabite king
NASB Translation
Balak (40), Balak's (3).

בָּלָק proper name, masculine (devastator) king of Moab, בֶּן צִמּוֺר ׳בּ Numbers 22:2,4,7 37t. Numbers 22-24 (all J E) + Joshua 24:9 (E) Judges 11:25; Micah 6:5.

בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר, בֵּלְאשַׁצַּר see בֵּל below בעל.

Identity

Balak (בָּלָק, Strong’s H1111) is repeatedly identified as “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab” (Numbers 22:4). Every occurrence portrays him in relation to Israel’s wilderness approach to Canaan, and all references fall within the historical books and one prophetic reminder (Micah 6:5). His actions unfold chiefly in Numbers 22–24, after which later writers appeal to his failed attempt to curse Israel as a permanent lesson in divine faithfulness.

Historical Setting

Balak ruled Moab near the end of Israel’s forty-year sojourn (circa 1406 BC). Israel was encamped “in the plains of Moab, opposite Jericho” (Numbers 22:1), having just defeated Sihon and Og. Balak feared national extinction should Israel advance southward across the Arnon. Lacking military confidence, he resorted to spiritual warfare by hiring the Mesopotamian diviner Balaam.

Narrative Overview (Numbers 22–24)

1. Fear and Strategy – Balak gathers Midianite elders and dispatches messengers to Balaam: “Please come and curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me” (Numbers 22:6).
2. Divine Restraint – The angelic encounter with Balaam’s donkey signals that the LORD alone determines blessing and curse. Balak’s royal prestige cannot override God’s decree.
3. Triple Prophetic Failure – From Bamoth-Baal, Pisgah, and Peor, Balak funds seven-fold sacrifices on three occasions, hoping ritual manipulation will sway God. Each time Balaam blesses Israel instead, climaxing in the messianic oracle: “A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will rise from Israel” (Numbers 24:17).
4. Royal Frustration – “Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam… ‘I summoned you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them these three times!’” (Numbers 24:10). His plan collapses, showcasing God’s irrevocable promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:3).

Aftermath and Collusion in Idolatry

Although Balak exits the stage at Numbers 24:25, his alliance with Balaam bears toxic fruit. Balaam’s counsel—“entice them with Moabite women” (cf. Numbers 31:16)—leads Israel into Baal-peor immorality (Numbers 25). Thus Balak’s plot shifts from overt cursing to subtle seduction, foreshadowing later warnings against doctrinal compromise (see Revelation 2:14, though Balak is not named there).

Later Canonical References

• Deuteronomy 23:4 recalls Balak’s hire of Balaam as justification for excluding Ammonites and Moabites from Israel’s assembly.
• Joshua 24:9–10 narrates Yahweh’s protection: “I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you, and I delivered you out of his hand.”
• Judges 11:25 cites Balak during Jephthah’s negotiations, highlighting that even Balak did not contest Israel’s seizure of Amorite land.
• Micah 6:5 urges Judah to remember “what Balak king of Moab proposed… so that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.” The prophetic intent is pastoral: recalling past deliverance fuels present covenant faithfulness.

These passages constitute roughly forty-three mentions of Balak across Torah, Historical Books, and Prophets, all unified by the theme of God’s safeguarding grace.

Theological Themes

Divine Sovereignty over Nations

Balak marshals political power, wealth, and religious ritual, yet “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). Every subsequent citation underscores the impotence of human schemes against God’s purpose.

The Irreversibility of Covenant Blessing

Balak’s account illustrates the Abrahamic promise: attempted curses become blessings (Numbers 23:8). This anticipates New Testament assurances that nothing can void God’s pledged salvation.

Messianic Foreshadowing

Balak inadvertently finances the prophecy of the coming “Star… and Scepter,” a preview of the Messiah who will ultimately defeat Moab (Numbers 24:17; Psalm 60:8; Isaiah 15–16).

The Peril of Compromise

Balak’s shift to moral corruption (Numbers 25) warns that frontal opposition often gives way to infiltration. This dynamic remains pertinent for church vigilance against false teaching and sensual temptation.

Practical Ministry Lessons

1. Spiritual warfare centers on God’s unassailable word; attempts to manipulate or redefine it will fail.
2. Material resources cannot purchase divine favor; sincerity and obedience prevail over ritualistic religion.
3. Leaders must beware counseling that skirts open rebellion yet undermines holiness from within.
4. Remembering past deliverances, as Micah commands, equips believers to trust God amid present threats.

Conclusion

Balak’s appearances trace a single arc: a pagan king strives to overturn God’s blessing, but each intervention instead magnifies the LORD’s faithfulness and foretells the ultimate triumph of the Messiah. His legacy endures as a cautionary tale and as a backdrop for celebrating the steadfast love of God toward His covenant people.

בָּלָ֑ק בָּלָ֔ק בָּלָ֖ק בָּלָ֗ק בָּלָ֜ק בָּלָ֣ק בָּלָ֤ק בָּלָ֧ק בָּלָק֙ בָלָ֔ק בָלָ֛ק בָלָ֜ק בָלָ֤ק בָלָֽק׃ בלק בלק׃ וּבָלָ֧ק ובלק לְבָלָ֗ק לבלק מִבָּלָ֥ק מבלק bā·lāq ḇā·lāq baLak bālāq ḇālāq lə·ḇā·lāq ləḇālāq levaLak mib·bā·lāq mibbaLak mibbālāq ū·ḇā·lāq ūḇālāq uvaLak vaLakInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts