Numbers 23:8 bbe — How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?

Bible in Basic English

"How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?"

— Numbers 23:8, Bible in Basic English

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Numbers 23:8 in Other Translations

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Numbers 23 — Context

5

And the Lord put words in Balaam's mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and this is what you are to say.

6

So he went back to him where he was waiting by his burned offering with all the chiefs of Moab.

7

And in the words which the Lord had given him he said, From Aram Balak has sent for me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East: come, put curses on Jacob for me and be angry with Israel.

8

How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?

9

From the top of the rocks I see him, looking down on him from the hills: it is a people made separate, not to be numbered among the nations.

10

Who is able to take the measure of the dust of Jacob or the number of the thousands of Israel? May my death be the death of the upright and my last end like his!

11

Then Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I sent for you so that my haters might be cursed, and see, you have given them a blessing.

Numbers 23:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Numbers 23:8 say?
Numbers 23:8 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?”
Where is Numbers 23:8 in the Bible?
Numbers 23:8 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Numbers, chapter 23, verse 8.
Who wrote Numbers?
Numbers is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Numbers about?
Numbers records Israel's forty years of wilderness wandering — two censuses (hence the name), rebellions, the failure at Kadesh-Barnea, and the slow journey to the plains of Moab. It is a sober portrait of human unbelief and God's patient faithfulness across a generation.
What are the major themes of Numbers?
Numbers explores themes including Wilderness, Faithfulness, Rebellion, Guidance, Provision. These themes shape the meaning and context of Numbers 23:8.
What translation should I read Numbers 23:8 in?
Numbers 23:8 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Numbers 23:8?
Numbers 23:8 reads (BBE): “How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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