Numbers 23:26
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 Version
and 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 Bible
And 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 Bible
But 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 1917
But 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, …

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Numbers 23
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But Balaam replied
In this phrase, we see the character of Balaam, a prophet who is caught between the demands of Balak, the king of Moab, and the commands of God. The Hebrew root for "replied" (עָנָה, 'anah) often implies a response or answer, suggesting that Balaam is in a dialogue, not just with Balak, but with God Himself. This highlights the tension between human authority and divine will, a recurring theme in the Bible. Balaam's role as a prophet is complex, as he is not an Israelite, yet he is used by God to convey His message. This reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to fulfill His purposes.

Did I not tell you
Here, Balaam is reminding Balak of a previous warning or statement. The phrase underscores the importance of remembering and adhering to God's word. The act of telling or declaring (נָגַד, nagad) in Hebrew often carries the weight of a solemn proclamation. This serves as a reminder that God's messages are not to be taken lightly or forgotten. In a broader sense, it emphasizes the reliability and consistency of God's word, which is a cornerstone of faith for believers.

that I must do whatever the LORD says?
This phrase is pivotal, as it encapsulates the central conflict of the narrative: obedience to God versus the desires of man. The Hebrew word for "must do" (עָשָׂה, asah) implies action and fulfillment, indicating that Balaam is bound to act according to God's instructions. The use of "the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) is significant, as it refers to the covenant name of God, emphasizing His authority and the personal relationship He has with His people. This phrase serves as a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God and the necessity of obedience to His will, even when it conflicts with human desires or expectations. It challenges believers to prioritize God's commands above all else, trusting in His ultimate wisdom and plan.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Balaam
בִּלְעָ֔ם (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


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OT Law: Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered Balak Didn't I tell (Nu Num.)
Numbers 23:25
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