Numbers 22:38
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.
Original Language Analysis
בָ֙אתִי֙
Lo I am come
H935
בָ֙אתִי֙
Lo I am come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַתָּ֕ה
H6258
הֲיָכֹ֥ל
H3605
הֲיָכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אוּכַ֖ל
at all
H3201
אוּכַ֖ל
at all
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
10 of 19
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
אֲדַבֵּֽר׃
that shall I speak
H1696
אֲדַבֵּֽר׃
that shall I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מְא֑וּמָה
any thing
H3972
מְא֑וּמָה
any thing
Strong's:
H3972
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
הַדָּבָ֗ר
the word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֗ר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָשִׂ֧ים
putteth
H7760
יָשִׂ֧ים
putteth
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
15 of 19
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
that God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
that God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 19
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
בְּפִ֖י
in my mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֖י
in my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
17 of 19
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Cross References
Proverbs 19:21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.Numbers 22:18And 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.Numbers 23:26But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?Numbers 23:16And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
Historical Context
Balaam's declaration set expectations for the oracles that follow (chapters 23-24), where he repeatedly blessed Israel despite Balak's requests to curse. Each blessing increasingly frustrated Balak while powerfully prophesying Israel's blessed status and future Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you acknowledge God's authority verbally while still seeking ways around His will?
- What does it mean to truly surrender all your words to speak only what God provides?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam arrives and tells 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.' This accurately acknowledges his prophetic limitations—he cannot curse whom God hasn't cursed. Yet Balaam's later actions (counseling Moab to tempt Israel to sin) revealed that intellectual acknowledgment of God's sovereignty doesn't equal heart submission.