He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that God's presence with Israel means He doesn't see their sins in a way that would lead Him to forsake or destroy them. Instead of "iniquity" or "perverseness," the intended meaning leans towards God overlooking or forgiving their wrongdoings, allowing for their continued blessing and protection. The "shout of a king" signifies the triumph and security that comes from God reigning as their King, filling them with a righteous confidence.
He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Balaam, under pressure from Balak, has now offered sacrifices three times, but each time God has intervened, turning his intended curses into blessings for Israel. Frustrated and confused, Balak demands to know what is happening, but Balaam explains that God has commanded him to bless Israel and that he cannot alter this divine decree. This leads to the final declaration in this passage, where Balaam emphasizes Israel's unique status as God's protected people, free from divine judgment and filled with divine presence.
Balaam, a prophet-for-hire, was tasked with finding fault in Israel. What he saw, however, was utterly different from what he expected.
Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, expecting him to find sin and misfortune. Yet, when Balaam looks at Jacob and Israel, he declares, 'He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel.'
This doesn't mean Israel was perfect. We know from the rest of the Bible that they struggled with sin and faced many difficulties. But God's perspective is different.
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Balaam, under divine compulsion, reveals the secret behind Israel's inexplicable favor: the Lord Himself is with them.
The second part of the verse offers the reason for God's unique perspective on Israel: 'The LORD their God is with them.' This isn't just a passive observation; it's an active, powerful presence.
Understand the original words
aven · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the state of affliction, suffering, or wickedness. In a theological context, God's refusal to "behold" it in his people signifies his covenantal grace and judicial favor.
amal · Hebrew Noun
Refers to trouble, distress, vexation, or labor. It denotes the painful exertion or mischief that God shields his people from under his covenant protection.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His holiness, faithfulness, and self-existence in relationship with His chosen people.
teruah · Hebrew Noun
A joyous, triumphant cry or blast, often associated with a military victory or the acclamation of a sovereign ruler's presence and power.
This verse reveals God's steadfast commitment to Israel, declared by Balaam under divine compulsion. It highlights that God's favor isn't based on Israel's perfect behavior, but on His own electing love and presence with them, assuring victory and security.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His power and commitment to them.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Sihon and Og
Israel defeated the Amorite kings Sihon and Og in battle, taking their lands east of the Jordan River. This victory showed God's power to protect His people and strike down their enemies.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Balaam's Oracles
Balak, king of Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam attempted to curse them from three different vantage points but was compelled by God to bless them instead, affirming God's favor and protection.
This passage describes Judah as a lion cub, a powerful image that parallels Balaam's prophecy of Israel rising like a lion, emphasizing their inherent strength and God's blessing upon them.
Deuteronomy 33:28This verse speaks of Israel dwelling securely 'alone' because God is their shield and helper, echoing the sense of divine protection and presence highlighted in Numbers 23:21.
Psalm 47:5This psalm describes God ascending with a shout and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet, connecting the 'shout of a king' in Numbers 23:21 to God's triumphant presence and reign over His people.
Isaiah 43:25Here, God says, 'I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.' This offers a theological explanation for how God 'has not beheld iniquity' in Jacob, linking it to His merciful imputation and forgiveness.
Romans 8:31Paul's rhetorical question, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' powerfully echoes the assurance in Numbers 23:21 that 'the LORD their God is with them,' underscoring the invincible security that comes from God's presence.
calvinNumbers 23:1-30: "And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams."
And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all; and curse me them from thence.
Tunc dixit ad cum Balac: Veni obsecro mecum ad alterum locum, unde videas illum (tantummodo extremum ejus vidisti, et totum ipsum non vidisti) et ei maledic mi…
pooleNumbers 23:21: "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them."
He, i.e. God, understood Numbers 23:20 , and expressed Numbers 23:19 , hath not or doth not behold or see iniquity or perverseness , i.e. any sin, in Jacob or Israel; which cannot be meant of a simple seeing or knowing of him, for so God did see and observe, yea, and chastise their sins, as is manifest, Exodus 32:9 Deu 9:13 ; bu…
This verse highlights that God's presence with Israel means He doesn't see their sins in a way that would lead Him to forsake or destroy them. Instead of "iniquity" or "perverseness," the intended meaning leans towards God overlooking or forgiving their wrongdoings, allowing for their continued blessing and protection. The "shout of a king" signifies the triumph and security that comes from God reigning as their King, filling them with a righteous confidence.
Balaam, under pressure from Balak, has now offered sacrifices three times, but each time God has intervened, turning his intended curses into blessings for Israel. Frustrated and confused, Balak demands to know what is happening, but Balaam explains that God has commanded him to bless Israel and that he cannot alter this divine decree. This leads to the final declaration in this passage, where Balaam emphasizes Israel's unique status as God's protected people, free from divine judgment and filled with divine presence.
Balaam, under pressure from Balak, has now offered sacrifices three times, but each time God has intervened, turning his intended curses into blessings for Israel. Frustrated and confused, Balak demands to know what is happening, but Balaam explains that God has commanded him to bless Israel and that he cannot alter this divine decree. This leads to the final declaration in this passage, where Balaam emphasizes Israel's unique status as God's protected people, free from divine judgment and filled with divine presence.
"He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them." — This verse highlights that God's presence with Israel means He doesn't see their sins in a way that would lead Him to forsake or destroy them. Instead of "iniquity" or "perverseness," the intended me…
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Last reviewed October 2026