Numbers 23:19

Key Reflection

Numbers 23:19 reads: "He took up his parable, and said, ‘Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, you son of Zippor.’" This verse comes in the context where Balaam, hired by Balak to curse Israel, instead blesses them. The cultural context here is significant: Balaam was a renowned seer known for his oracles, and the phrase "took up his parable" indicates he was about to deliver a prophetic speech. By addressing Balak directly with these words, Balaam asserts his authority as a diviner and seeks to gain Balak's attention, emphasizing that what follows is a serious and important message.