Numbers 22:13
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֤קָם
rose up
H6965
וַיָּ֤קָם
rose up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
לַֽהֲלֹ֥ךְ
to go
H1980
לַֽהֲלֹ֥ךְ
to go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַרְצְכֶ֑ם
you into your land
H776
אַרְצְכֶ֑ם
you into your land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
10 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְתִתִּ֖י
to give me leave
H5414
לְתִתִּ֖י
to give me leave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
In the 13th century BC, professional diviners like Balaam were common throughout Mesopotamia and the Levant. Kings regularly employed them for blessing armies or cursing enemies. Balaam's international reputation (he lived in Pethor near the Euphrates, ~400 miles from Moab) indicates he was considered exceptionally powerful.
Questions for Reflection
- When you technically obey God while leaving room for future compromise, what does that reveal about your heart?
- How does framing God's clear "no" as merely His current position (rather than absolute truth) open you to temptation?
- What professional or financial opportunities tempt you to negotiate with God's clear commands?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave—Balaam initially obeyed God's prohibition (v. 12). The Hebrew מֵאֵן (mē'ēn, "refuseth") is emphatic: Yahweh absolutely denied permission. Yet Balaam's wording is telling: he told Balak's princes "the LORD refuseth," not "I refuse" or "God forbids this sin." His passive construction reveals divided loyalty—technically obedient while leaving the door open for negotiation.
Ancient Near Eastern prophets were often hired for divination or curses, making Balaam's profession lucrative but spiritually compromised. His reluctance to definitively reject Balak foreshadows his eventual capitulation when the offer increases.