BALAK bā’ lăk (בָּלָ֖ק, devastator). Moabite king, the son of Zippor. Balak was king of Moab when Israel emerged from the wilderness to enter Canaan. Having seen what the Hebrews had done to the Amorites, he attempted to prevent Israel’s advance by hiring Balaam to curse them (Num 22:1-6). He built altars at three different sites for the purpose, but each attempt failed. He remains throughout Heb. history as an example of the folly of attempting to thwart Jehovah’s will (Josh 24:9; Judg 11:25).