Definition: And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they [are] blessed.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 22:12. It’s a really important and dramatic passage about God’s power and protection. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: God is telling Balaam – a priest who was leading a group of Israelite men to worship a Canaanite god – not to accompany them on their journey. And crucially, he's telling him not to curse the people. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “God said unto Balaam…” : This is God speaking directly to Balaam. It’s a commanding instruction from above. “…Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people…” : This is the core of the verse. God is saying that Balaam must not accompany these men. He's also telling him to not speak negatively about the people they are leading. “For they [are] blessed.” : This is the crucial part! The phrase “they” refers back to the Canaanite people who were worshipping the idol. God is saying that these people are already blessed – meaning they are favored and have a special, positive quality. What’s the Significance? This verse highlights several important points: Divine Protection: It shows God actively protecting His people from harm. He doesn't just allow things to happen; he intervenes to prevent negativity. God’s Sovereignty: It demonstrates that God is in control and has the power to stop even the most planned journeys. The Power of Blessing: The verse emphasizes that blessings are a result of God's favor – He chooses to bless people, and he protects them from negative influences. In short, this verse tells us that God wants to keep these men away from the Canaanites and protects them through his presence and power. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Give you a more detailed explanation of the context surrounding this verse?