Numbers 23:20
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Original Language Analysis
וּבֵרֵ֖ךְ
and he hath blessed
H1288
וּבֵרֵ֖ךְ
and he hath blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
2 of 6
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
לָקָ֑חְתִּי
Behold I have received
H3947
לָקָ֑חְתִּי
Behold I have received
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
3 of 6
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וּבֵרֵ֖ךְ
and he hath blessed
H1288
וּבֵרֵ֖ךְ
and he hath blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
4 of 6
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
Cross References
Numbers 22:12And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Genesis 12:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:Isaiah 43:13Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?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.1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.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
Despite Israel's repeated rebellions chronicled in Numbers, God's blessing remained secure because it rested on His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not Israel's performance. This grace-based security prefigures salvation by grace through faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the irreversibility of God's blessing provide assurance of your security in Christ?
- What attempts to curse or condemn you are futile because of God's blessing in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam states 'I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.' The phrase 'I cannot reverse it' emphasizes absolute impossibility—no power can undo God's blessing once pronounced. God's blessing on Israel wasn't conditional on perfect obedience but flowed from His sovereign choice and covenant faithfulness. This anticipates the New Testament teaching that nothing can separate believers from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).