Numbers 23:16
And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקָּ֤ר
met
H7136
וַיִּקָּ֤ר
met
Strong's:
H7136
Word #:
1 of 13
to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
and put
H7760
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 13
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
דָּבָ֖ר
a word
H1697
דָּבָ֖ר
a word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּפִ֑יו
in his mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֑יו
in his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
7 of 13
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
שׁ֥וּב
Go again
H7725
שׁ֥וּב
Go again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 13
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Historical Context
The second oracle (vv.18-24) intensified the blessing, declaring God doesn't lie or change His mind (v.19), and that He sees no iniquity in Jacob. Each successive oracle made Israel's blessed status more emphatic, frustrating Balak further.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God putting words in prophets' mouths guarantee reliability of Scripture?
- What comfort comes from knowing God's blessing on His people cannot be revoked or changed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God 'met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.' This second oracle followed the same pattern—God controlled Balaam's speech. The repetition emphasized divine sovereignty: attempts to manipulate Balaam into cursing failed because God, not Balak, determined prophetic content. This prefigures Jesus' teaching that disciples speak what the Spirit gives (Matthew 10:19-20).