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Numbers 22:38

BalaamBalak
Words and speechIntegrity

36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

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.

39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.

40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that 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

    And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 19:21

    There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 23:26

    But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

    Read in context

  • Numbers 23:16

    And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 22:14

    And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 44:25

    That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 46:10

    Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 18:13

    And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

    Read in context