Numbers 24:12

And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

What does Numbers 24:12 mean?

This vain attempt to curse Israel is ended. Balak broke out into a rage against Balaam, and expressed great vexation.

Key themes

Justice and mercyPilgrimageRebellionJudgment

Read with

Keep this verse inside Numbers 24:10-14 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Balaam Person: Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites ( Num. 31:8 ; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor ( Deut. 23:4 ), in Mesopotamia ( Num. 23:7 ).
Balak Person: Empty; spoiler, a son of Zippor, and king of the Moabites ( Num. 22:2 , 4). From fear of the Israelites, who were encamped near the confines of his territory, he applied to Balaam (q. v. ) to curse them; but in vain.