Balak

Balak ( Bālāq) was a king of Moab described in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible, where his dealings with the prophet and Midianite sorcerer Balaam are recounted. Balak tried to engage Balaam for the purpose of cursing the migrating Israelites. The story of Balak is detailed in , , and . According to Numbers 22:2, and Joshua 24:9, Balak was the son of Zippor.

Key facts

Character.name: Balak
Character.title: King of Moab
Character.image: The Phillip Medhurst Picture Torah 580. Balak’s sacrifices. Numbers cap 23 v 24. De Vos.jpg
Character.caption: Balak (wearing a crown) with Balaam
Character.family: Zippor (father)
Character.relatives: Eglon (grandson)
Character.religion: Chemosh
Character.nationality: Moab
Character.lbl21: Birth place
Character.data21: Kingdom of Moab
Character.lbl22: Death place
Character.data22: Kingdom of Moab

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Wikidata facts

Image: The Phillip Medhurst Picture Torah 580. Balak’s sacrifices. Numbers cap 23 v 24. De Vos.jpg

Sources (4)

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Article

6 sections

Contents

The Zohar
New Testament
Apocrypha
Weekly Torah Portion
Etymology
References

In the chapter of Numbers preceding the introduction of Balak, the Israelites, seeking the Promised Land following their Exodus from Egypt, had defeated the Canaanites at a place named Hormah, as well as the Amorites and the people of Bashan, and next approached Moab. The biblical narrative stresses the fears of the people of Moab, who were 'exceedingly afraid' and 'sick with dread' (NKJV) or 'terrified' (GNT). Their fears appear to relate to the size of the Israelite population and the consequent resource depletion which could be expected if they were permitted to occupy Moabite land.