Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the LORD says?” New Living Translation But Balaam replied to Balak, “Didn’t I tell you that I can do only what the LORD tells me?” English Standard Version But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the LORD says, that I must do’?” Berean Standard Bible But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?” King James Bible But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? New King James Version So Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Did I not tell you, saying, ‘All that the LORD speaks, that I must do’?” New American Standard Bible But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the LORD speaks, I must do’?” NASB 1995 But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the LORD speaks, that I must do ‘?” NASB 1977 But Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the LORD speaks, that I must do’?” Legacy Standard Bible But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, saying, ‘Whatever Yahweh speaks, that I must do’?” Amplified Bible But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not say to you, ‘All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?’” Christian Standard Bible But Balaam answered him, “Didn’t I tell you: Whatever the LORD says, I must do? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible But Balaam answered him, “Didn’t I tell you: Whatever the LORD says, I must do?” American Standard Version But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh, that I must do? Contemporary English Version "I've already told you," Balaam answered. "I will say only what the LORD tells me." English Revised Version But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? GOD'S WORD® Translation Balaam answered, "Didn't I tell you that I must do whatever the LORD says?" Good News Translation Balaam answered, "Didn't I tell you that I had to do everything that the LORD told me?" International Standard Version "Didn't I tell you," Balaam responded to Balak, "that I'll say whatever the LORD tells me to say?" Majority Standard Bible But Balaam replied, ?Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?? NET Bible But Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'All that the LORD speaks, I must do'?" New Heart English Bible But Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell you, saying, 'All that God speaks, that I must do?'" Webster's Bible Translation But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not tell thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? World English Bible But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘All that Yahweh speaks, that I must do?’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Balaam answers and says to Balak, “Have I not spoken to you, saying, All that YHWH speaks—I do it?” Young's Literal Translation and Balaam answereth and saith unto Balak, 'Have I not spoken unto thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh -- it I do?' Smith's Literal Translation And Balsam will answer and say to Balak, Spake I not to thee, saying, All which Jehovah shall speak I will do it? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: Did I not tell thee, that whatsoever God should command me, that I would do? Catholic Public Domain Version And he said, “Have I not told you that whatever God would command of me, I would do?” New American Bible But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Everything the LORD tells me I must do’?” New Revised Standard Version But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the LORD says, that is what I must do’?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not tell you. All that the LORD speaks to me, that very thing I must do? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Balaam answered and said to Balaq, “Have I not said to you that everything that LORD JEHOVAH says to me is what I do?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But Balaam answered and said unto Balak: 'Told not I thee, saying: All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Balaam answered and said to Balac, Spoke I not to thee, saying, Whatsoever thing God shall speak to me, that will I do? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Balaam's Second Oracle…25Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!” 26But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?” 27“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”… Cross References 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. 1 Samuel 15:29 Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” Psalm 33:9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. Romans 11:29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God. Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. 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. 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. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. John 10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— Treasury of Scripture But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Told not I you, saying, All that the LORD speaks, that I must do? Numbers 23:12,13 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth? … 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… Numbers 24:12,13 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, … Jump to Previous Balak Speak Speaketh Speaks WhateverJump to Next Balak Speak Speaketh Speaks WhateverNumbers 23 1. Balak's sacrificesBut Balaam replied Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure in the biblical narrative. Known for his ability to bless and curse, he is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Balaam's reply here is part of a larger dialogue where he consistently emphasizes his obligation to speak only what God commands. This highlights the tension between human desires and divine will, a recurring theme in Scripture. Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says I must do Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak to curse Israel. Despite his intentions, he is compelled by God to bless Israel instead. 2. Balak The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam, hoping to weaken them. 3. Moab The region ruled by Balak, located east of the Dead Sea. It is significant as a place of opposition to Israel during their wilderness journey. 4. Israelites The people of God, journeying to the Promised Land, whom Balak fears due to their growing numbers and strength. 5. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who intervenes to ensure His will is accomplished through Balaam, despite Balak's intentions. Teaching Points Obedience to God's WordBalaam's statement underscores the importance of adhering to God's commands, even when external pressures suggest otherwise. As believers, we must prioritize God's Word above all else. God's Sovereignty The account demonstrates God's control over circumstances and His ability to use even reluctant individuals to fulfill His purposes. Trust in God's sovereignty should be a cornerstone of our faith. Integrity in Adversity Balaam's insistence on speaking only what God commands, despite Balak's desires, highlights the need for integrity. We are called to maintain our commitment to God's truth, even when faced with opposition. The Power of God's Blessing The transformation of intended curses into blessings for Israel illustrates the power and protection of God's blessing over His people. We should seek to live under God's blessing by aligning ourselves with His will. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Balaamבִּלְעָ֔ם (bil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet replied, וַיַּ֣עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond “Did I not הֲלֹ֗א (hă·lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no tell you that דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי (dib·bar·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue whatever כֹּ֛ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says, יְדַבֵּ֥ר (yə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue I must do?” אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃ (’e·‘ĕ·śeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 6213: To do, make Links Numbers 23:26 NIVNumbers 23:26 NLT Numbers 23:26 ESV Numbers 23:26 NASB Numbers 23:26 KJV Numbers 23:26 BibleApps.com Numbers 23:26 Biblia Paralela Numbers 23:26 Chinese Bible Numbers 23:26 French Bible Numbers 23:26 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered Balak Didn't I tell (Nu Num.) |
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