Numbers 22:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣עַן
H6030
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
בִּלְעָ֗ם
H1109
And Balaam
bilam, a place in palestine
#3
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
עַבְדֵ֣י
H5650
unto the servants
a servant
#6
בָלָ֛ק
H1111
If Balak
balak, a moabitish king
#7
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#8
יִתֶּן
H5414
would give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
לִ֥י
H0
#10
בָלָ֛ק
H1111
If Balak
balak, a moabitish king
#11
מְלֹ֥א
H4393
full
fulness (literally or figuratively)
#12
בֵית֖וֹ
H1004
me his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
כֶּ֣סֶף
H3701
of silver
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#14
וְזָהָ֑ב
H2091
and gold
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#15
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
אוּכַ֗ל
H3201
I cannot
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#17
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
H5674
go beyond
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#18
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
פִּי֙
H6310
the word
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#20
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#21
אֱלֹהָ֔י
H430
my God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#22
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
H6213
to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#23
קְטַנָּ֖ה
H6996
less
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
#24
א֥וֹ
H176
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#25
גְדוֹלָֽה׃
H1419
or more
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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