What Does Numbers 23:1 Mean in the King James?
And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew word for “altar” carries the act of slaughter inside it.
THE MEANING
The verse places before you a deliberately measured approach: seven altars, seven bulls, and seven rams prepared for sacrifice. The repeated count gives the arrangement a marked fullness, while the animals make its cost concrete.
THE ROOT
מִזְבְּחֹת
mizbeḥōt
GROWS FROM
זבח
z-b-ḥ
To slaughter, especially in sacrifice.
The Hebrew word מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbēaḥ, altar) is formed from the root זבח (z-b-ḥ, slaughter or sacrifice). So these are not just places for ritual: the word itself connects the altars to the animals prepared to be killed and offered.
ALSO GROWS
zevaḥ: Sacrifice; sacrificial slaughter or offering.
זֶבַח
It names the offering itself, revealing the act bound to the altar.
zōvēaḥ: One who sacrifices or slaughters.
זֹבֵחַ
It names the one performing the act; the altar word carries that same action into the place where it happens.
THE PATTERN
Approach to God takes visible form through material acts of offering.
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.THE THREAD
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.The Hebrew word for “altar” in both verses comes from זבח (z-b-ḥ, slaughter or sacrifice). Genesis makes the connection visible by naming the altar and the animals offered upon it in the same verse.
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