Numbers 22:13 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

Numbers 22:13 kjv

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

Numbers 22:13 nkjv

So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you."

Numbers 22:13 niv

The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak's officials, "Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

Numbers 22:13 esv

So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

Numbers 22:13 nlt

The next morning Balaam got up and told Balak's officials, "Go on home! The LORD will not let me go with you."

Numbers 22 13 Cross References

(table)| Verse | Text | Reference ||-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|| Num 22:12 | God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them... for they are blessed." | The Lord's original, absolute command. || Num 22:19-20| "Remain here tonight, and I will find out what else the LORD will tell me."| Balaam's problematic attempt to re-consult God.|| Num 23:8 | "How can I curse whom God has not cursed?" | Balaam's realization of divine control. || Num 23:20 | "Behold, I received a command to bless... He has blessed, and I cannot revoke it."| God's blessing is irrevocable. || Num 24:10 | Balak's anger at Balaam for not cursing Israel. | Result of Balaam's failure to curse. || Deut 23:4-5 | "...the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you..." | God's sovereignty over the intended curse. || Josh 24:9-10| "But I would not listen to Balaam; so he blessed you instead." | Historical recollection of divine intervention.|| Neh 13:2 | "But our God turned the curse into a blessing." | Further confirmation of God's reversal. || Micah 6:5 | "...remember what Balak king of Moab purposed and what Balaam... answered him."| God's faithful remembrance of protection. || 2 Pet 2:15-16| "...forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam..."| Balaam as a warning against greed and false teaching.|| Jude 1:11 | "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves... in the error of Balaam..."| Condemnation of following Balaam's error. || Rev 2:14 | "...who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel..." | Balaam's later counsel to harm Israel. || Gen 12:3 | "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse..."| Covenant promise underlying Israel's protection.|| Prov 19:21 | "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."| God's ultimate sovereignty over human intentions.|| Lam 3:37 | "Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?" | God's authoritative control over all events. || Psa 33:10-11| "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever..."| God's plans always prevail over human/national schemes.|| Isa 46:10 | "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand...'"| God's absolute foresight and control. || Rom 9:15-16 | "...it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." | Divine will determines outcomes, not human effort.|| Heb 13:5 | "...be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"| Counterpoint to Balaam's covetousness: God provides. || James 4:13-15| "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"| Contrast to making plans without God's explicit consent.|

Numbers 22 verses

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Numbers 22 13 Meaning

Balaam, having received a definitive word from the Lord during the night, communicates Balak's princes that he cannot accompany them to Moab. His refusal is presented as a direct result of the Lord's clear prohibition, preventing him from going with them on their mission to curse Israel.

Numbers 22 13 Context

Numbers 22 recounts the narrative of Balak, the king of Moab, who fears the approaching Israelites and attempts to secure a curse upon them from the renowned diviner Balaam. Having witnessed the Israelites defeat the Amorites, Balak sends high-ranking messengers with generous fees to entice Balaam. In verse 12, the Lord explicitly commands Balaam not to go with Balak's men and not to curse Israel because "they are blessed." Verse 13 marks Balaam's initial response to Balak's princes after consulting the Lord. It directly conveys God's prohibition on him joining them, a partial truth that sets the stage for Balaam's subsequent wavering and the unfolding dramatic narrative. This account highlights God's protective sovereignty over His covenant people against hostile nations and pagan sorcery prevalent in the ancient Near East.

Numbers 22 13 Word analysis

Balaam (Hebrew: בָּלָק - Bālāq in original, but the text is clear, it's Balaam - בִּלְעָם - Bil‘ām): The verse initiates with the direct reference to Balaam's action. Balaam is presented as the prophet/diviner Balak sought, indicating his prominent reputation in the region. He acts as the intermediary for God's word.
rose up in the morning: This phrase denotes an immediate and definitive action following the overnight divine revelation (Num 22:8). It implies swift obedience, at least outwardly, and possibly the fresh beginning of the day used for official pronouncements or travel preparations.
and said to the princes of Balak: Balaam directly addresses the high-ranking officials who were dispatched by the Moabite king. This shows the message is delivered officially and specifically to those authorized to receive it.
Go back to your land: This is a direct dismissal. The mission for which they came to Balaam is hereby aborted. It conveys a clear rejection of their initial proposal.
for the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה - YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, is used. This signifies Balaam's direct communication with the God of Israel, acknowledging His supreme authority and distinctive identity, even as a non-Israelite prophet.
has refused (Hebrew: מֵאֵן - mēʾēn): This strong verb means to refuse, reject, or deny emphatically. It conveys that the decision is absolute and non-negotiable from God's side, leaving no room for negotiation or re-consideration.
to let me go with you: Balaam explicitly states the exact prohibition from the Lord concerning his participation in their journey. This communicates that the hindrance is divine, not personal, shifting responsibility directly to God's command.

(words-group by words-group analysis data)

Balaam rose up in the morning and said...: This phrase underscores Balaam's initial act of apparent compliance. It's crucial as it highlights that the initiative to communicate the divine command comes from him, following his consultation with the Lord.
Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused: This statement serves as both a command and an explanation. The direct order to return is grounded in the undeniable authority of YHWH's refusal. This powerfully conveys the futility of Balak's request against God's will.
refused to let me go with you: Balaam articulates God's specific command. However, it's notable that he only mentions the prohibition to go with them, and not the more crucial command found in Num 22:12: "You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." This omission, whether intentional or not, suggests a partial or selective communication of God's full message, which foreshadows his later attempts to work around God's will.

Numbers 22 13 Bonus section

Balaam's Complex Character: Balaam is not a pagan idolater in the typical sense. He consistently addresses and is addressed by YHWH. He's an anomaly, a prophet who can hear the covenant God of Israel but struggles deeply with covetousness (2 Pet 2:15-16). This verse shows his unique position as one who hears God's definitive word but hints at the inner conflict between divine instruction and personal ambition.
Divine Sovereignty over Pagan Divination: The entire narrative, commencing with this decisive statement from Balaam, is a profound polemic against the efficacy of divination and curses against God's elect. It affirms YHWH's absolute control over all supernatural powers and human machinations, establishing that His blessing cannot be undone by any sorcery or human design.

Numbers 22 13 Commentary

Numbers 22:13 marks a critical juncture where Balaam, despite being a non-Israelite, delivers God's direct message concerning Israel. His prompt declaration "the LORD has refused to let me go with you" demonstrates an initial outward obedience to God's express command in verse 12. However, Balaam's wording here is subtly incomplete; he faithfully conveys God's refusal to allow him to travel with the princes but omits the absolute prohibition against cursing Israel and the explicit declaration that "they are blessed" (Num 22:12). This omission indicates a crucial facet of Balaam's character: while acknowledging the power and word of YHWH, his underlying desire for gain and fame persists. This partial disclosure suggests he is not entirely disinterested in the "rich reward" (Num 22:7), leaving a subtle door open for Balak to persuade him further, which indeed happens. The verse ultimately highlights the immutable will of God concerning His blessed people, asserting divine sovereignty over all human and occultic attempts to thwart His purpose.