Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
23:23-24 No curse could succeed against Israel because they had been blessed (22:12; cp. Gen 12:2-3; 22:17-18). Israel was safe from the harm that Moab and Midian sought to inflict through divination (cp. Num 24:1); Israel would become famous because God protected them from harm (see Josh 2:9-11; cp. Num 14:13-19).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
23:23-24 No curse could succeed against Israel because they had been blessed (22:12; cp. Gen 12:2-3; 22:17-18). Israel was safe from the harm that Moab and Midian sought to inflict through divination (cp. Num 24:1); Israel would become famous because God protected them from harm (see Josh 2:9-11; cp. Num 14:13-19).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Balak said to Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Then Balak said to Balaam, If you will not put a curse on them, at all events do not give them a blessing.