Atomic Bible

Father of Balak, king of Moab

Zippor

Named in 7 verses across 3 books, first in Numbers 22:2.

צִפּוֹרZippor

The name means “bird; sparrow; crown; desert.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Children
Balak
People
Moab

About Zippor Written by AI

Zippor was the father of Balak, the king of Moab who opposed the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. He is mentioned several times in the account of Balak's attempts to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). Zippor's name, which means "bird" or "sparrow," is consistently used in conjunction with Balak's name, emphasizing his role as the king's father. Although little is known about Zippor's life, his son Balak's actions suggest that he may have shared the same hostility towards the Israelites. In Joshua 24:9 and Judges 11:25, Zippor is mentioned in the context of recounting Israel's past conflicts with Moab, further highlighting the significance of his son's opposition to Israel. Some scholars speculate that Zippor may have been the "former king of Moab" mentioned in Numbers 21:26, but this is not explicitly stated in the text.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

A little bird, the father of Balak, king of Moab (Num. 22:2, 4).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. Numbers 22:2

    Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,

  2. Numbers 22:4

    So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,

  3. Numbers 22:10

    And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:

  4. Numbers 22:16

    They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me,

  5. Numbers 23:18

    Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.

  6. Joshua 24:9

    Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,

  7. Judges 11:25

    Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.