Numbers 22:20

Authorized King James Version

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בָּ֣אוּ
H935
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֱלֹהִ֥ים׀
H430
And 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
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
בִּלְעָם֮
H1109
unto Balaam
bilam, a place in palestine
#5
לַיְלָה֒
H3915
at night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#6
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
ל֗וֹ
H0
#8
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#9
לִקְרֹ֤א
H7121
to call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#10
לְךָ֙
H0
#11
בָּ֣אוּ
H935
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים
H376
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#13
ק֖וּם
H6965
thee rise up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#14
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#15
אִתָּ֑ם
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#16
וְאַ֗ךְ
H389
with them but yet
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#17
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
הַדָּבָ֛ר
H1697
the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#19
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
אֲדַבֵּ֥ר
H1696
which I shall say
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#21
אֵלֶ֖יךָ
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#22
אֹת֥וֹ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
תַֽעֲשֶֽׂה׃
H6213
unto thee that shalt thou do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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