Bible Strands
Numbers 23:28
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records Balak relocating Balaam to a new vantage point after his first attempt to curse Israel failed. He brings him to the summit of Peor to observe the Israelite camp from a different angle.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּקַּח (va.yi.kach, H3947) literally means "and he took," denoting physical relocation. The noun רֹאשׁ (rosh, H7218) specifies the "top" or summit of the location.
The thread — The phrase "overlooks the wasteland" echoes Numbers 21:20, where the top of Pisgah similarly surveys the same terrain. Later, Psalm 106:28 references Peor as the site of Israel's idolatrous compromise at Baal of Peor.
Why it lands — The verse records a repeated attempt to manipulate divine favor through geographic advantage. It requires the reader to recognize that location cannot override the fixed word of God.
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
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
Cross-references
- Numbers 21:20 and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.
- Psalms 106:28 They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.