במדבר, פרק כ״ג, פסוק א׳

Realizing that his usual methods of sorcery are completely ineffective, Balaam is forced to shift his strategy. He turns to offering sacrifices in a deliberate attempt to awaken God's favor, hoping to pave the way for a prophecy that will finally grant him the power to curse the Israelites [רלב״ג, בכור שור, העמק דבר]. When instructing the Moabite king to prepare the site, Balaam insists that the construction align precisely with his own hidden intentions, keeping the true purpose a secret from the king [אור החיים]. Nevertheless, he ensures the king is actively involved in the physical preparation. By binding him to the act, the effort is transformed into a shared, unified prayer [רמב״ן]. Balaam's demand for immediate action at that specific location is driven by a need to operate in the present moment [ביאור שטיינזלץ], from a high vantage point overlooking the people [ספורנו], and to tap into specific earthly forces that are unique to that exact spot [מלבי״ם].

The requirement to construct exactly seven altars is rooted in deep spiritual secrets [אבן עזרא, אבי עזר]. The number seven represents perfection, the underlying forces of reality, and the foundations of creation, holding a sacred status even among ancient nations [רש״ר הירש, אדרת אליהו, מלבי״ם, אם למקרא]. Commentators offer several motivations for choosing this specific number. Balaam attempts to exploit God's inherent affinity for the number seven—seen in the Sabbath, the Sabbatical year, and the festivals—and tries to leverage the merit of the seven Noahide laws to bring about the curse [שפתי כהן, קיצור בעל הטורים]. Alternatively, he seeks to neutralize the historical merit of seven righteous men, from Adam to Moses, who had previously built altars to God [חזקוני, שפתי כהן]. Others view this multiplication of altars as a clear reflection of a pagan mindset. While the Israelites offer sacrifices to one God on a single altar out of pure unity, Balaam believes divine power operates through fragmented forces. He hopes that splitting his worship across seven different focal points will create a spiritual vulnerability he can exploit to harm the Israelites [העמק דבר]. Furthermore, this strategy may have been an astrological attempt to manipulate the star system and align the seven planets against the nation [שפתי כהן].

The specific choice of animals—seven bulls and seven rams—is equally calculated. The bulls represent the nations of the world, while the rams symbolize the Israelites. By sacrificing both together, Balaam attempts to merge the channels of spiritual abundance for both humanity and Israel, redirecting all of that divine favor toward Moab [אלשיך]. These animals also target the patriarchs, with the bull corresponding to Abraham and the ram to Isaac. Noticeably absent are sheep, which represent Jacob. Balaam deliberately avoids offering sheep out of fear that Jacob's merit would rise to protect the Israelites, or that it might awaken the merit of the seven sheep the nation is destined to offer during their future additional holiday offerings [שפתי כהן].