Chapter 33: Balaam and Baal-peor

Study notes

Moab is in dread of Israel, and its king Balak calls on Balaam to curse them, but Balaam blesses them three times instead. At Shittim the people eat from the sacrifices to Moab’s gods and bow to them, and when Israel yokes itself to Baal-peor, Yahweh’s anger burns until Phinehas turns it back.

From Numbers 22:2–4 (KoS), Numbers 24:10–11 (KoS), Numbers 25:1–3 (KoS), Numbers 25:10–13 (KoS).

These notes and questions are original study helps written for this site, not scripture. The verses shown with each question are quoted from the Kingdoms of Scripture Bible.

Notice and discuss

Read each passage, then think about the question on your own or talk it over with others. No answers are collected.

1. What does the donkey say to Balaam after he strikes her, and how does he answer?

   Yahweh opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times? Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have made a fool of me. If there were a sword in my hand, I would kill you now. The donkey said to Balaam, Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life until this day? Have I been in the habit, in the habit, of doing this to you? He said, No.

   Numbers 22:28–30 (KoS)

2. What does Balak say Balaam has done, and how does Balaam answer him?

   Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed, blessed them. He answered and said, Must I not keep to speaking what Yahweh puts in my mouth?

   Numbers 23:11–12 (KoS)

3. What does Yahweh say he will give Phinehas and his seed, and what reason does he give?

   Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest has turned my rage back from the sons of Israel, because he was jealous with my jealousy in their midst, and I did not finish the sons of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, Look, I give him my covenant of peace. It shall be for him, and for his seed after him, a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.

   Numbers 25:10–13 (KoS)

   Note · Translation Beriti shalom is my covenant of peace. Berit is covenant. See the glossary.