Numbers 23:26
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 15
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,
הֲלֹ֗א
H3808
הֲלֹ֗א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַבֵּ֥ר
Told
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֥ר
Told
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּ֛ל
H3605
כֹּ֛ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדַבֵּ֥ר
Told
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֥ר
Told
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
12 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה
All that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
All that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.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.2 Chronicles 18:13And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.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
Israel did conquer Canaan but never fully subdued all enemies as this oracle predicted. This partial fulfillment pointed to a greater Lion who would completely vanquish all God's foes—the Messiah who crushes Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20).
Questions for Reflection
- How do Old Testament conquest promises find ultimate fulfillment in Christ's spiritual victories?
- What enemies in your life will Christ's lion-like power ultimately vanquish?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam concludes 'He shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.' This graphic victory imagery intensifies the lion metaphor, prophesying total conquest of enemies. Yet Israel's history shows incomplete fulfillment in Canaan conquest, pointing toward Christ's ultimate victory over all spiritual enemies (1 Corinthians 15:25, Colossians 2:15, Revelation 19:15-21).