Numbers 22:15
New International Version
Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.

New Living Translation
Then Balak tried again. This time he sent a larger number of even more distinguished officials than those he had sent the first time.

English Standard Version
Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.

King James Bible
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

New King James Version
Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they.

New American Standard Bible
Then Balak sent representatives once again, more numerous and more distinguished than the previous.

NASB 1995
Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.

NASB 1977
Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more honorable than the former.

Amplified Bible
Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and [men who were] more distinguished than the first ones.

Christian Standard Bible
Balak sent officials again who were more numerous and higher in rank than the others.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Balak sent officials again who were more numerous and higher in rank than the others.

American Standard Version
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.

Contemporary English Version
Then Balak sent a larger group of officials, who were even more important than the first ones.

English Revised Version
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Balak sent a larger group of more highly respected princes.

Good News Translation
Then Balak sent a larger number of leaders, who were more important than the first.

International Standard Version
In response, Balak sent more officers—higher ranking ones, at that!—

Majority Standard Bible
Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers.

NET Bible
Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.

New Heart English Bible
Then Balak again sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.

World English Bible
Balak again sent princes, more, and more honorable than they.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Balak adds yet to send princes, more numerous and honored than these,

Young's Literal Translation
And Balak addeth yet to send princes, more numerous and honoured than these,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Balak will add yet to send leaders, many and honorable, more than these.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then he sent many more and more noble than he had sent before:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Again, he sent many more persons, and these were more noble than those he had sent before.

New American Bible
Balak yet again sent princes, who were more numerous and more distinguished than the others.

New Revised Standard Version
Once again Balak sent officials, more numerous and more distinguished than these.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And again Balak sent messengers who were greater and more honorable than they.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Balaq returned again and he sent greater and more honorable Messengers than those.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Balac yet again sent more princes and more honourable than they.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balak Summons Balaam
14And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.” 15Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers. 16They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,…

Cross References
2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Deuteronomy 23:4-5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Nehemiah 13:2
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

Micah 6:5
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

2 Kings 5:15-16
Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” / But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Proverbs 11:4
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Acts 8:18-20
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

1 Kings 13:8-9
But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. / For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”


Treasury of Scripture

And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.

princes

Numbers 22:7,8
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak…

Acts 10:7,8
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; …

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Addeth Chiefs Distinguished Higher Honorable Honourable Honoured Leaders Numerous Once Others Position Princes
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Addeth Chiefs Distinguished Higher Honorable Honourable Honoured Leaders Numerous Once Others Position Princes
Numbers 22
1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. His second message obtains him
22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey
36. Balak entertains him














Then Balak sent other princes
Balak, the king of Moab, is responding to the refusal of Balaam to come and curse Israel. This action shows Balak's determination and desperation to protect his kingdom from the Israelites, who were advancing through the region. The sending of additional princes indicates a strategic move to persuade Balaam, highlighting the importance Balak placed on securing Balaam's services. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of using divination and curses in warfare, as seen in other historical texts.

more numerous
The increase in the number of princes signifies an escalation in Balak's efforts. In the ancient world, the number of emissaries could reflect the importance of the mission. By sending more princes, Balak is attempting to impress upon Balaam the seriousness of his request. This also suggests that Balak is willing to invest more resources to achieve his goal, indicating the perceived threat of the Israelites.

and more distinguished
The distinction of the princes implies that they were of higher rank or status than the previous messengers. This could be seen as an attempt to flatter or pressure Balaam into compliance. In the cultural context, sending more honorable representatives would be a sign of respect and urgency. This mirrors the biblical theme of God using the humble and lowly, as seen in the contrast between worldly honor and divine purpose.

than the first messengers
The comparison to the first group of messengers highlights Balak's increasing desperation. The initial refusal by Balaam did not deter Balak; instead, it prompted him to intensify his efforts. This persistence can be seen as a parallel to the spiritual battles believers face, where the enemy may increase efforts to lead them astray. It also foreshadows the eventual outcome where God's will prevails despite human schemes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Balak
The king of Moab who is fearful of the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam.

2. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is known for his ability to bless or curse.

3. Moab
A region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, is threatened by the presence of the Israelites.

4. Princes
The more numerous and distinguished messengers sent by Balak to persuade Balaam to curse Israel.

5. Israelites
The people of God, whose presence and success in the region cause fear among the Moabites.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans
Despite Balak's attempts to manipulate outcomes through Balaam, God's will prevails. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over our circumstances.

The Danger of Compromise
Balaam's willingness to entertain Balak's request, despite knowing God's will, serves as a warning against compromising our values for personal gain.

The Influence of Peer Pressure
The sending of more distinguished princes represents increased pressure to conform. We must be vigilant against succumbing to external pressures that lead us away from God's path.

The Power of God's Blessing
The account underscores that no curse can stand against those whom God has blessed. Believers can find assurance in God's protection and favor.

Discernment in Leadership
Balak's repeated attempts to sway Balaam highlight the need for leaders to discern and resist ungodly influences.Verse 15. - More, and more honourable than they. Balak rightly judged that Balaam was not really unwilling to come, and that it was only needful to ply him with more flattery and larger promises. The heathens united a firm belief in the powers of the seer with a very shrewd appreciation of the motives and character of the seer. Compare the saying of Sophocles ('Antig.,' 1055), τὸ μαντικὸν γὰρ πᾶν φιλάργυρον γένος.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Balak
בָּלָ֑ק (bā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

sent
שְׁלֹ֣חַ (šə·lō·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

other
וַיֹּ֥סֶף (way·yō·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

princes,
שָׂרִ֔ים (śā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

more numerous
רַבִּ֥ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

and more distinguished
וְנִכְבָּדִ֖ים (wə·niḵ·bā·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

than the [first messengers].
מֵאֵֽלֶּה׃ (mê·’êl·leh)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those


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OT Law: Numbers 22:15 Balak sent yet again princes more (Nu Num.)
Numbers 22:14
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