Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 23:5
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelite assembly on the plains of Moab, reviewing the events that occurred as the nation prepared to enter the Promised Land.
The words — The Hebrew verb אָבָה ('avah) means to be willing or consent, paired with לִשְׁמֹעַ (lishmoa) for listening, while וַיַּהֲפֹךְ (vayyahpoch) describes the active reversal of the intended curse into a blessing.
The thread — The text states God's refusal to heed Balaam and His deliberate turning of the curse, which aligns with the covenant love described in Deuteronomy 7:7 and the sovereign protection outlined in Romans 8:31, while echoing the prophetic reversal recorded in Numbers 24:9.
Why it lands — The passage records God's active intervention to protect His people, requiring the reader to acknowledge divine sovereignty over hostile forces and to rely on that protection rather than pursue retaliation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Numbers 24:9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
- Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
- Numbers 23:5 Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
- Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.
- 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.’”
- Romans 11:28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.
- Deuteronomy 33:3 Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words—