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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 25
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,
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
7 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִתֶּן
would give
H5414
יִתֶּן
would give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בֵית֖וֹ
me his house
H1004
בֵית֖וֹ
me his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כֶּ֣סֶף
of silver
H3701
כֶּ֣סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
13 of 25
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְזָהָ֑ב
and gold
H2091
וְזָהָ֑ב
and gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
14 of 25
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַ֗ל
I cannot
H3201
אוּכַ֗ל
I cannot
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
16 of 25
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
go beyond
H5674
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
go beyond
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
17 of 25
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּי֙
the word
H6310
פִּי֙
the word
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
19 of 25
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֔י
my God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֔י
my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
21 of 25
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
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
22 of 25
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
קְטַנָּ֖ה
less
H6996
קְטַנָּ֖ה
less
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
23 of 25
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
Cross References
Numbers 24:13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?1 Kings 22:14And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.2 Chronicles 18:13And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.Numbers 23:26But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?Numbers 22:38And 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.
Historical Context
Balaam was a non-Israelite diviner who had genuine contact with Yahweh, demonstrating God can speak through unexpected sources. However, his love of money led him to find indirect ways to curse Israel by causing them to sin, showing that hearing God's word doesn't guarantee obedient heart.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you claim to honor God's word while secretly seeking ways around its restrictions?
- What does Balaam's divided heart teach about the danger of loving money while claiming to serve God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam responds to Balak's messengers: '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.' This statement appears noble—claiming inability to violate God's word regardless of payment. Yet Balaam's heart proved divided, ultimately finding a way to harm Israel (31:16), showing how apparent submission to God's word can mask underlying greed (2 Peter 2:15-16, Jude 11).