Numbers 22 20

Numbers 22:20 kjv

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Numbers 22:20 nkjv

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you?that you shall do."

Numbers 22:20 niv

That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."

Numbers 22:20 esv

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you."

Numbers 22:20 nlt

That night God came to Balaam and told him, "Since these men have come for you, get up and go with them. But do only what I tell you to do."

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 20 Meaning

In Numbers 22:20, God grants Balaam permission to accompany the men from Moab, thereby allowing him to go to King Balak. However, this permission is strictly conditional and limited: Balaam is commanded to speak only the words that God will specifically give him. This verse highlights a divine directive that appears as a limited assent, yet contains a critical proviso demanding absolute obedience to the forthcoming divine word, revealing God's ultimate control over Balaam's actions and speech.

Numbers 22 20 Context

Numbers 22 introduces Balaam, a non-Israelite diviner or prophet renowned in the ancient Near East for his ability to bless or curse. When the Israelites camp in the plains of Moab, fear grips King Balak of Moab. He dispatches messengers to Balaam, offering lavish payment to curse Israel, believing Balaam possesses supernatural power. Initially, Balaam seeks divine counsel. God explicitly forbids him from going or cursing Israel (Num 22:12), stating that Israel is blessed. Despite this clear instruction, Balak sends a second, more prestigious delegation with greater offers. Balaam, clearly tempted by the potential reward, again consults God. Verse 20 presents God's response to this second inquiry. It reveals God's conditional allowance, which contrasts sharply with the earlier prohibition, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation with the angel of the Lord as Balaam embarks on his journey. This episode highlights God's sovereign control even over a diviner outside the covenant and the paradox of divine permission, which often serves to test or reveal the heart's true inclination.

Numbers 22 20 Word analysis

• And God: אֱלֹהִים ('Elohim). This is the common Hebrew word for God, often used when speaking of God's general activity or in a universal sense. In earlier verses (22:9, 22:12), "God" (Elohim) and "LORD" (Yahweh) are used interchangeably, suggesting Balaam understood the universal, all-powerful God. This particular usage indicates that it is the ultimate divine authority speaking, not merely a tribal deity.
• came: וַיָּבֹא (vayyavo'). A straightforward verb for "to come," indicating the physical manifestation of God's presence or a divine encounter in a dream or vision, echoing the previous night's visitation.
• to Balaam: אֶל־בִּלְעָם ('el-Bil'am). A direct encounter between God and Balaam, emphasizing that Balaam has direct access to divine communication.
• at night: בַּלָּיְלָה (ballaylah). The precise time is noted. Dreams and visions were common means of divine revelation in the ancient Near East, especially at night. This highlights the ongoing nature of God's communication with Balaam, consistent with his role as a diviner.
• and said to him: וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו (vayyo'mer 'elayv). Standard introductory phrase for direct speech from God.
• Arise: קוּם (qum). An imperative verb meaning "to stand up," "arise." It’s a strong command to take action, indicating a definitive call to end his sleep/rest and begin his journey.
• go: לֵךְ (lekh). Another imperative, meaning "go" or "walk." It directly commands him to proceed.
• with them: אִתָּם ('ittam). Refers to the delegation sent by Balak. This grants the permission that Balaam sought.
• But: אַךְ ('akh). A critical Hebrew particle, serving as a strong adversative, "only," "however," "nevertheless." It introduces a severe restriction or a condition that significantly qualifies the preceding permission. It signifies a dramatic turn in the instruction, emphasizing the divine constraint.
• the word: הַדָּבָר (haddavar). Not just any word, but "the" specific, divine utterance (definite article). It denotes a particular, authoritative message or oracle from God. This emphasizes that Balaam is not to invent, alter, or add to the message.
• which I shall say to you: אֲשֶׁר אֲדַבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ ('asher 'adabber 'eleyka). Specifies the source and nature of "the word." It will be direct revelation from God, given specifically to Balaam, stressing his role as a precise conveyor of divine speech, not his own ideas.
• that you shall do: אֹתוֹ תַּעֲשֶׂה ('oto ta'aseh). A strong command indicating absolute necessity and responsibility for obedience. Balaam's duty is not just to speak "the word" but also to perform or embody it—meaning his actions must align with God's stated purpose and permission. This phrase means "that you shall cause to be done" or "that you shall do exactly that." It emphasizes precise execution.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And God came to Balaam at night and said to him": This repeated motif of God visiting Balaam at night underscores the legitimacy of Balaam as a receiver of divine revelation, even though he is outside the covenant. It prepares for the irony of God's later wrath towards Balaam.
• "Arise, go with them": This phrase encapsulates God's paradoxical permission. It satisfies Balaam's desire to go (and receive payment), but it sets him on a path that will immediately expose his underlying avarice and lead to divine confrontation (Num 22:22-35). This allowance is not a stamp of approval but a test.
• "But the word which I shall say to you, that you shall do": This forms the crucial and restrictive condition. It explicitly defines the boundaries of Balaam's actions. He is granted freedom to travel but zero freedom in speech or intention apart from God's explicit command. This serves to assert God's sovereignty over Balaam and ensure that God's plan for Israel, which is blessing, will be accomplished despite Balak's intentions and Balaam's potential greed.

Numbers 22 20 Bonus section

The seemingly paradoxical command from God to Balaam—initially forbidding, then allowing under strict conditions—foreshadows the divine wrath Balaam encounters shortly thereafter (Num 22:22), where the Angel of the LORD blocks his path. This apparent inconsistency highlights a profound biblical principle: God's permissive will differs from His preferential will. While His preferential will was for Balaam not to go and align himself with Balak, His permissive will allowed the journey, knowing Balaam's covetous heart and intending to use the journey to teach Balaam (and future readers) profound lessons about obedience, God's sovereignty, and the true source of blessing. The condition ("But the word which I shall say to you, that you shall do") demonstrates that even when God permits a course of action influenced by human sin or flawed desires, He maintains absolute control over the outcome to fulfill His divine agenda. This serves as an indictment of Balaam's heart, exposing his desire for gain above true obedience and respect for the divine command.

Numbers 22 20 Commentary

Numbers 22:20 marks a critical turning point in the Balaam narrative. God's permission to "go with them" initially seems to contradict His previous prohibition (Num 22:12), which forbade Balaam from accompanying the men or cursing Israel. This apparent shift can be understood in several ways, deeply rooted in God's character and purposes. First, it reflects God's allowing human will, even misguided, to run its course. Balaam, by repeatedly asking God despite a clear "no" and clearly being swayed by the lure of "wages of unrighteousness" (2 Pet 2:15), revealed his true heart's desire. God's permission, therefore, wasn't an endorsement but a concession to Balaam's obstinate heart, a test of his integrity. This dynamic demonstrates a divine principle where persistence in a wrongful desire can sometimes lead to an allowance that, though permissible, may lead to consequences.

Crucially, the permission comes with an ironclad caveat: "But the word which I shall say to you, that you shall do." This absolute qualification asserts God's sovereignty. Balaam is a diviner who operates with a perceived freedom, but God establishes His control over Balaam's prophetic mouth. Balaam is reduced to a mere conduit for God's message, stripped of his own initiative or power to curse. This turns Balak's attempt to subvert God's plan on its head, using Balak's own chosen agent to declare God's blessing upon Israel instead. Thus, God transforms potential evil intent into an instrument for His good purposes, confirming Israel's blessed status (Gen 12:3). This serves as a potent theological statement about God's inability to be coerced or manipulated, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel.

• Example 1: Similar to God allowing Israel to have a king despite their misguided motives (1 Sam 8), here God permits Balaam's journey but ensures His ultimate plan will not be undermined.
• Example 2: This dynamic reflects how God allows trials or temptations (even those stemming from our own desires) that test the genuineness of our faith and obedience. The freedom granted is within the bounds of God's overarching purpose.