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Numbers 22:38

BalaamBalak
Words and speechIntegrity

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory.

37 And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to richly reward you?”

“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”

39 So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”
KJV
And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
WEB
Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word that God puts in my mouth.”
ASV
And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
DARBY
And Balaam said to Balak, Lo, I am come to thee; but shall I now be able at all to say anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.
BLB
And Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you; now am I able at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.”
ÅB
Bileam svarte: Nå ser du jeg er kommet til deg; men står det vel i min makt å tale noe? Det ord Gud legger i min munn, det må jeg tale.
OTB
Bileam svarte: «Vel, jeg har kommet til deg nå. Men kan jeg si hva som helst? Jeg må bare tale det Gud legger i min munn.»
B1930
Bileam svarte: Nu ser du jeg er kommet til dig; men står det vel i min makt å tale noget? Det ord Gud legger i min munn, det må jeg tale.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 22:18

    But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 19:21

    Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 23:26

    But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”

    Read in context

  • Numbers 23:16

    And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 22:14

    But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 44:25

    who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 46:10

    I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 18:13

    But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”

    Read in context