Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.” New Living Translation The LORD gave Balaam a message for King Balak. Then he said, “Go back to Balak and give him my message.” English Standard Version And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” Berean Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” King James Bible And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. New King James Version Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” New American Standard Bible Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you shall speak.” NASB 1995 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” NASB 1977 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” Amplified Bible Then the LORD put a speech in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak and say what I tell you.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak and say what I tell you.” American Standard Version And Jehovah put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. Contemporary English Version The LORD gave Balaam a message, then sent him back to tell Balak. English Revised Version And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD told Balaam, "Go back to Balak, and give him my message." Good News Translation The LORD told Balaam what to say and sent him back to Balak to give him his message. International Standard Version Then the LORD gave Balaam this message. "Return to Balak and speak to him." Majority Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam?s mouth, saying, ?Return to Balak and give him this message.? NET Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and speak what I tell you." New Heart English Bible And God put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak." Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. World English Bible Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand YHWH puts a word in the mouth of Balaam and says, “Return to Balak, and thus you speak.” Young's Literal Translation and Jehovah putteth a word in the mouth of Balaam, and saith, 'Turn back unto Balak, and thus thou dost speak.' Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will put the word in Balaam's mouth, and say, Turn back to Balak, and thus shalt thou speak. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord put the word in his mouth, and said: Return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the Lord placed the word in his mouth, and he said: “Return to Balak, and you shall say this.” New American Bible The LORD put an utterance in Balaam’s mouth, and said: Go back to Balak, and speak accordingly. New Revised Standard Version The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you must say.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said to him, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH put the word in the mouth of Balaam and said to him: “Go to Balaq and thus speak.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said: 'Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And God put a word into the mouth of Balaam, and said, thou shalt return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Balaam's First Oracle…4and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.” 5Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” 6So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.… Cross References Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Exodus 4:12 Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” Isaiah 51:16 I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’” 2 Peter 1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 10:19-20 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. / For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. John 12:49-50 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 1 Corinthians 2:13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, Hebrews 1:1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. Isaiah 59:21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD. Ezekiel 3:27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house. 1 Kings 22:14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.” Treasury of Scripture And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak. Numbers 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. Numbers 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. Jump to Previous Balaam Balaam's Balak Message Mouth Putteth Speak Turn Word WordsJump to Next Balaam Balaam's Balak Message Mouth Putteth Speak Turn Word WordsNumbers 23 1. Balak's sacrificesThen the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth This phrase indicates divine inspiration and control over Balaam's words. In the biblical context, Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet, and this demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. The act of God putting words in someone's mouth is reminiscent of how God spoke through prophets like Moses (Exodus 4:12) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:9). It underscores the belief that true prophecy comes directly from God, not from human invention or manipulation. saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who directly communicates His will and message to Balaam. 2. Balaam A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is sought by Balak to curse Israel. Despite his questionable motives, God uses him to deliver His message. 3. Balak The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam, hoping to weaken them. 4. Moab The region ruled by Balak, representing opposition to Israel during their journey to the Promised Land. 5. Israel The chosen people of God, whom Balak seeks to curse but whom God intends to bless. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over WordsGod has the ultimate authority over the words spoken by individuals, even those who may not fully align with His will. This reminds us of His control over all situations. The Power of God's Blessing No curse or ill intention can stand against God's blessing. Believers can trust in God's promises and protection over their lives. Obedience to God's Message Balaam, despite his initial intentions, obeys God's directive to speak only what God commands. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our words and actions with God's will. God's Faithfulness to His People The account underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, and by extension, His faithfulness to all who are in Christ.(5) The Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth.--"God, who had opened the mouth of the ass," says Bishop Wordsworth, in loc., "in a manner contrary to her nature, now opens Balaam's mouth in a manner contrary to his own will." Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel put וַיָּ֧שֶׂם (way·yā·śem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set a message דָּבָ֖ר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause in Balaam’s בִלְעָ֑ם (ḇil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet mouth, בְּפִ֣י (bə·p̄î) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to saying, וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Return שׁ֥וּב (šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Balak בָּלָ֖ק (bā·lāq) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king and וְכֹ֥ה (wə·ḵōh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now give him this message.” תְדַבֵּֽר׃ (ṯə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Links Numbers 23:5 NIVNumbers 23:5 NLT Numbers 23:5 ESV Numbers 23:5 NASB Numbers 23:5 KJV Numbers 23:5 BibleApps.com Numbers 23:5 Biblia Paralela Numbers 23:5 Chinese Bible Numbers 23:5 French Bible Numbers 23:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 23:5 Yahweh put a word in Balaam's mouth (Nu Num.) |
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