Numbers 24:13
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִתֶּן
would give
H5414
יִתֶּן
would give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בֵיתוֹ֮
me his house
H1004
בֵיתוֹ֮
me his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כֶּ֣סֶף
of silver
H3701
כֶּ֣סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
7 of 24
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְזָהָב֒
and gold
H2091
וְזָהָב֒
and gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
8 of 24
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַ֗ל
I cannot
H3201
אוּכַ֗ל
I cannot
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
10 of 24
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
go beyond
H5674
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
go beyond
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
11 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֣י
the commandment
H6310
פִּ֣י
the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
13 of 24
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֖ה
but what the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
but what the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
טוֹבָ֛ה
either good
H2896
טוֹבָ֛ה
either good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
16 of 24
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
א֥וֹ
H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
17 of 24
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
מִלִּבִּ֑י
of mine own mind
H3820
מִלִּבִּ֑י
of mine own mind
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
19 of 24
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲדַבֵּֽר׃
saith
H1696
אֲדַבֵּֽר׃
saith
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
21 of 24
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה
but what the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
but what the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
22 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Balaam became a proverbial example of false prophecy motivated by profit. Peter calls his way 'the way of Balaam...who loved the wages of unrighteousness' (2 Peter 2:15). Jude warns of those who 'ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward' (Jude 11). Revelation condemns 'the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel' (Revelation 2:14). Balaam's legacy is cautionary—outward prophetic gift does not equal inward transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we obey the letter of God's law while violating its spirit?
- What does it mean to have prophetic gifts without genuine conversion?
- How can we avoid selective obedience that technically complies while practically rebelling?
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam's declaration 'what the LORD saith, that will I speak' sounds like prophetic faithfulness, but the narrative reveals this as selective obedience. He spoke only what God forced him to speak in the moment, but his heart remained mercenary. His later counsel to Midian showed he would harm Israel if he could find a method God hadn't explicitly forbidden. This teaches that true obedience encompasses both letter and spirit, both explicit commands and underlying principles. The Pharisees similarly obeyed the letter while violating the spirit (Matthew 23:23).