Numbers 22 38

Numbers 22:38 kjv

And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

Numbers 22:38 nkjv

And Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak."

Numbers 22:38 niv

"Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But I can't say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth."

Numbers 22:38 esv

Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak."

Numbers 22:38 nlt

Balaam replied, "Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth."

Numbers 22 verses

Numbers 22 38 Meaning

Numbers 22:38 encapsulates Balaam's declaration to Balak that he is not speaking on his own authority or will, but rather is compelled to utter only the specific words that God (Elohim) dictates to him. This statement clarifies Balaam's perceived role as a mouthpiece for divine revelation, asserting his complete dependence on God's pronouncements and his inability to deviate from them. It sets the stage for the prophetic oracles that follow, emphasizing that these blessings (and not curses) on Israel will be of divine origin, not subject to human manipulation or desire.

Numbers 22 38 Context

Numbers chapter 22 details Balak, the king of Moab's, fear of the numerous Israelites approaching his territory. He seeks to employ Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse Israel, believing that what Balaam curses will be cursed and what he blesses will be blessed. Balaam initially consults with God, who explicitly forbids him from going or cursing Israel. After Balak's second, more prestigious appeal, God permits Balaam to go but strictly warns him to speak only what God commands. This journey culminates in the miraculous event where Balaam's donkey speaks, preventing him from encountering an angel of the Lord who intended to kill him due to his unrighteous pursuit of Balak's reward despite God's clear instructions. Immediately upon arriving to meet Balak, having just endured this profound, supernatural intervention, Balaam delivers the statement in verse 38. This context highlights Balaam's position as a diviner seemingly at the beck and call of kings, yet here completely subjugated to the will of Israel's God, Yahweh. Historically and culturally, diviners like Balaam were believed to harness supernatural powers to influence events, but this narrative serves as a strong polemic, demonstrating that Yahweh's power is absolute and cannot be manipulated or directed by human practitioners or rituals against His divine will and purpose.

Numbers 22 38 Word analysis

• And Balaam said to Balak: A simple, direct introductory clause establishing the immediate context of the conversation between the two key figures.
• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinnēh): An emphatic interjection drawing immediate attention to what follows. It highlights a critical statement or observation, here pointing to Balaam's actual arrival and the limitation he immediately announces.
• I have come to you! (בָּאתִי אֵלֶיךָ, bāʾtî ʾēlêkā): A factual confirmation of his arrival as per Balak's persistent invitation, preceding his critical clarification.
• Have I now any power at all (הַיָּכוֹל אִיכַל, hayyāḵôl ʾîḵal): This rhetorical question, posed with a strong double emphasis (using two forms of 'to be able'), underscores Balaam's utter lack of independent power. It forcefully negates any personal ability to control the words he will utter, thus disavowing any influence over the outcome.
• to speak anything (דַּבֵּר מְאוּמָה, dabbēr məʾûmâ): Emphasizes "anything" or "a single thing," reinforcing that he has no latitude whatsoever. This contrasts with Balak's expectation that Balaam can speak whatever Balak desires (i.e., a curse).
• The word (אֶת־הַדָּבָר, ʾet-haddāḇār): Refers specifically to a divine utterance, a pronouncement from God. Dabar is often used for God's revealed will or command.
• that God (אֱלֹהִים, ʾĕlōhîm): This term for God is broadly used and might serve as a diplomatic or universally understood reference to a supreme divine being in Balak's pagan court. However, given the preceding context (Numbers 22:9, 20), it explicitly refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel, who directly interacted with Balaam.
• puts in my mouth (יָשִׂים בְּפִי, yāśîm bəfî): A common prophetic idiom, denoting the direct inspiration and source of the words. It signifies Balaam is a passive recipient and a mouthpiece, not an originator of the message.
• that I must speak (אֹתוֹ אֲדַבֵּר, ʾôtō ʾădaḇbēr): This clause emphasizes the divine compulsion and the precise fidelity required. Balaam can only speak that very word and nothing else, indicating his unavoidable obligation to transmit the divine message faithfully.

Words-group analysis:

• "Have I now any power at all to speak anything?": This rhetorical question highlights Balaam's initial response to Balak's expectation. It firmly communicates his utter inability to generate his own words or dictate the content of his prophecy, contrasting starkly with typical pagan diviners who might be swayed by gifts or kingly commands.
• "The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.": This statement is Balaam's declaration of absolute dependence on God's divine word. It portrays him as a mere instrument, a conduit for God's message, asserting that his utterances will be divine decrees and not his personal intentions or Balak's desires. This setup foreshadows the subsequent blessings on Israel, emphasizing that they stem directly from God's unchangeable will, not from Balaam's "magic."

Numbers 22 38 Bonus section

• Balaam's assertion in Num 22:38 is consistent with his later reiterations in Num 23:12 and Num 24:13, where he repeats his inability to go against God's command. This repetitive emphasis highlights the theological core of the narrative: God's ultimate control over human speech and destiny.
• The tension in Balaam's character is noteworthy. While he speaks the words of God, later accounts (Num 31:16, 2 Pet 2:15, Jude 11, Rev 2:14) portray him as one who eventually devised a wicked scheme to entice Israel to sin. This shows that speaking God's word does not equate to a righteous heart; one can be a messenger of truth yet possess a corrupt intent.
• Balaam's initial refusal to go and his subsequent consent, conditional on God's word, may indicate a partial, grudging obedience. The encounter with the angel of the Lord serves to solidify the divine constraint expressed in this verse, proving that God's control extends not just over Balaam's speech, but over his very path and life.

Numbers 22 38 Commentary

Numbers 22:38 is a foundational declaration for understanding the entire Balaam narrative. Despite being sought by Balak to curse Israel, Balaam asserts an undeniable constraint: his speech is entirely dependent on and controlled by God. This is not merely a polite disclaimer; it is a confession forged through profound, supernatural encounters, particularly the speaking donkey and the angel of the LORD. Balaam implicitly distances himself from mere human diviners or sorcerers whose words might be bought or manipulated. Instead, he positions himself as a vessel, compelled by divine will, demonstrating that God's plan for Israel, which is blessing, cannot be thwarted by human efforts, pagan curses, or even a mercenary prophet's desire for wealth. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over prophecy, establishing a precedent for genuine divine communication in the Old Testament, where prophets are faithful conduits of God's direct message. Practically, this reminds believers of the weight and power of Spirit-inspired speech. It encourages prayer that our words may align with God's will and purpose, reflecting His truth rather than personal bias or self-interest, especially in ministry or when offering spiritual guidance.