Balak

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BALAK

BALAK (Heb. בָּלָק), son of Zippor; the first king of Moab whose name is known. Balak's memory survived only because of his ill-fated association with *Balaam, whom he had hired to curse Israel after the latter's victories over the Amorites (Num. 22–24; et al.). In Joshua 24:9 (cf. Judg. 11:25) he is described as having fought Israel. Micah 6:5 refers to the frustration of Balak's design as exemplifying God's kindness to Israel. No satisfactory explanation of the name has so far been advanced.

For bibliography, see *Balaam.