Definition: And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 23:18. It’s a really interesting and slightly mysterious passage! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, it’s a message from God to Balak (a high-ranking official) about a difficult situation. “And he took up his parable…” – This means God is telling a story or example. He’s using a narrative to illustrate something important. “…and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:” – This is the core of the verse. It's directing Balak to listen to him . Let’s unpack what it means: “Rise up” : This suggests a call to action. Balak needs to get up and pay attention. “Thou son of Zippor” : This is a very specific name – “Son of Zippor.” Zippor is a Hebrew name meaning "the one who is blessed." So, this refers to a specific son of a certain lineage. The whole point of the verse is that God is speaking to Balak about a serious problem. It’s not just a casual conversation; it's a warning and a call to responsibility. It’s saying: "This situation requires your attention, and you need to listen carefully to what I have to say." What does this verse suggest? God is concerned: The verse highlights God's watchful eye on events, especially those involving leadership. Responsibility: It places a burden of responsibility on Balak to understand and respond to the situation described. A specific focus: It’s about focusing on one particular person – this son of Zippor – and understanding their role in something significant. In short, it's a reminder that God is involved in important matters and that we should pay attention to what He says. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the meaning of a specific concept related to this verse (like obedience or responsibility)?