Numbers 23:20
New International Version
I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

New Living Translation
Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!

English Standard Version
Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.

Berean Standard Bible
I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.

King James Bible
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

New King James Version
Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

New American Standard Bible
“Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, I cannot revoke it.

NASB 1995
“Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it.

NASB 1977
“Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it.

Amplified Bible
“Behold, I have received His command to bless [Israel]. He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

Christian Standard Bible
I have indeed received a command to bless; since he has blessed, I cannot change it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have indeed received a command to bless; since He has blessed, I cannot change it.

American Standard Version
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: And he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

Contemporary English Version
"My command from God was to bless these people, and there's nothing I can do to change what he has done.

English Revised Version
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: And he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have received a command to bless. He has blessed, and I can't change it.

Good News Translation
I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.

International Standard Version
Look! I've received a blessing, and so I will bless. I won't withdraw it.

Majority Standard Bible
I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.

NET Bible
Indeed, I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

New Heart English Bible
Look, I have received a command to bless. He has blessed, and I can't reverse it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

World English Bible
Behold, I have received a command to bless. He has blessed, and I can’t reverse it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, I have received [only] to bless; Indeed, He blesses, and I cannot reverse it.

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, to bless I have received: Yea, He blesseth, and I can not reverse it.

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, I was taken to praise: and he praised and I shall not turn it back.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I was brought to bless, the blessing I am not able to hinder.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I was led here to bless, and I have no strength to hinder the blessing.

New American Bible
I was summoned to bless; I will bless; I cannot revoke it!

New Revised Standard Version
See, I received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, I was brought here to bless; and I cannot reverse the blessing.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold I have been led to bless and I will not return the blessing.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, I am bidden to bless; And when He hath blessed, I cannot call it back.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: I will bless, and not turn back.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balaam's Second Oracle
19God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? 20I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. 21He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them.…

Cross References
Genesis 12:2-3
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 22:17-18
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 27:33
Isaac began to tremble violently and said, “Who was it, then, who hunted the game and brought it to me? Before you came in, I ate it all and blessed him—and indeed, he will be blessed!”

Genesis 49:25-26
by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb. / The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Deuteronomy 7:13
He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, and oil, the young of your herds and the lambs of your flocks—in the land that He swore to your fathers to give you.

Deuteronomy 28:3-6
You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. / The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. ...

Psalm 33:9
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.

Psalm 89:34
I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.

Isaiah 14:27
The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?

Isaiah 46:10-11
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ / I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Jeremiah 1:12
“You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.”

Ezekiel 24:14
I, the LORD, have spoken; the time is coming, and I will act. I will not refrain or show pity, nor will I relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Malachi 3:6
“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.

Romans 11:29
For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he has blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

he hath

Numbers 22:12
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Genesis 12:2
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 22:17
That 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;

I cannot

Numbers 22:18,38
And 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…

John 10:27-29
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: …

Romans 8:38,39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, …

Jump to Previous
Bidden Bless Blessed Blesseth Blessing Change Command Commandment Mission Orders Power Received Reverse Revoke
Jump to Next
Bidden Bless Blessed Blesseth Blessing Change Command Commandment Mission Orders Power Received Reverse Revoke
Numbers 23
1. Balak's sacrifices














Behold
The word "Behold" is a call to attention, urging the listener or reader to focus on what is about to be said. In Hebrew, the word is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which serves as an imperative to observe or consider something significant. This word is often used in Scripture to introduce a divine revelation or a truth that demands acknowledgment. In the context of Numbers 23:20, it sets the stage for a profound declaration from God, emphasizing the importance and certainty of the message that follows.

I have received a command to bless
This phrase underscores the divine origin of the blessing. The Hebrew word for "command" is "צִוָּה" (tsivah), indicating an authoritative directive from God. Balaam, the speaker, acknowledges that the blessing he is about to pronounce is not of his own volition but is a mandate from the Almighty. This highlights the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events and His power to use even unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes. The act of blessing is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with God's covenant promises and His desire to bestow favor upon His people.

He has blessed
The use of the past tense here, "He has blessed," signifies that the action is already completed. The Hebrew root "בָּרַךְ" (barak) means to bless, to kneel, or to praise. This indicates that God's blessing is irrevocable and has already been set in motion. In the historical context of Numbers, this refers to God's blessing upon Israel, which cannot be reversed by any human or spiritual force. It reflects the unchangeable nature of God's promises and His faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

and I cannot change it
This phrase highlights the immutability of God's will. The Hebrew word for "change" is "שָׁבַר" (shabar), which can mean to break or to alter. Balaam acknowledges his inability to alter what God has decreed. This serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of opposing God's plans. In a broader theological context, it reassures believers of the steadfastness of God's word and His unwavering commitment to His people. It is an encouragement to trust in God's promises, knowing that they are secure and unalterable by any earthly or spiritual power.

Verse 20. - I have received commandment to bless. The word "commandment "is not wanted here. Balaam had received, not instructions, but an inward revelation of the Divine will which he could not contravene.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I have indeed
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

received
לָקָ֑חְתִּי (lā·qā·ḥə·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a command to bless;
בָרֵ֖ךְ (ḇā·rêḵ)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

He has blessed,
וּבֵרֵ֖ךְ (ū·ḇê·rêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

and I cannot
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

change it.
אֲשִׁיבֶֽנָּה׃ (’ă·šî·ḇen·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


Links
Numbers 23:20 NIV
Numbers 23:20 NLT
Numbers 23:20 ESV
Numbers 23:20 NASB
Numbers 23:20 KJV

Numbers 23:20 BibleApps.com
Numbers 23:20 Biblia Paralela
Numbers 23:20 Chinese Bible
Numbers 23:20 French Bible
Numbers 23:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 23:20 Behold I have received a command (Nu Num.)
Numbers 23:19
Top of Page
Top of Page