Numbers 23 16

Numbers 23:16 kjv

And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

Numbers 23:16 nkjv

Then the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, "Go back to Balak, and thus you shall speak."

Numbers 23:16 niv

The LORD met with Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, "Go back to Balak and give him this word."

Numbers 23:16 esv

And the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and thus shall you speak."

Numbers 23:16 nlt

And the LORD met Balaam and gave him a message. Then he said, "Go back to Balak and give him my message."

Numbers 23 verses

Numbers 23 16 Meaning

Numbers 23:16 signifies a pivotal moment where the Sovereign Lord, YHWH, directly intervenes in the prophetic process. He personally encounters Balaam and imparts His own divine message directly into Balaam's mouth. This action transforms Balaam from a human diviner potentially subject to Balak's influence or his own desire for reward, into a direct mouthpiece for God, commanded to faithfully deliver God's precise words back to King Balak. The verse highlights God's absolute control over all circumstances and even the words spoken by His appointed or even unappointed messengers, ensuring His will and blessing upon Israel will prevail.

Numbers 23 16 Context

Numbers chapter 23 recounts the second of four attempts by Balak, king of Moab, to induce the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. Fearing the vast number and presence of the Israelite multitude on his borders, Balak believed a divinely inspired curse would diminish their power. After the first failed oracle, Balak moves Balaam to a new location, "the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah," hoping a different vantage point might yield a different prophetic outcome. Balak sacrifices again and Balaam withdraws alone to await a word from God. Verse 16 details God's direct intervention, once again putting the very words He desires Balaam to speak into his mouth, thus overriding Balaam's potential intentions or Balak's desperate hopes. This episode serves to powerfully illustrate God's unyielding commitment to His covenant with Israel and His supreme authority over human will and pagan magical practices. Historically, this occurs during the wilderness wanderings, immediately preceding Israel's entry into the Promised Land.

Numbers 23 16 Word analysis

• And the LORD (וַיִּקָּר יְהוָה – vayyiqqaar YHWH):
  • And: Connects the narrative seamlessly.
  • LORD (יְהוָה – YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, relational, and unchanging nature. This name emphasizes His faithfulness to His promises, particularly His covenant with Israel. His active presence and initiative are central to the interaction.
  • met (וַיִּקָּר – vayyiqqaar from qaara): This verb suggests a direct, often intentional, encounter or meeting. It implies God's proactive step in approaching Balaam, not a random occurrence. It highlights the divine initiative and authority in the interaction.
• Balaam (בִּלְעָם – Bil‘ām): The son of Beor, a known diviner from Pethor near the Euphrates. He is a non-Israelite prophet whose power Balak seeks to exploit. His inclusion in this narrative demonstrates God's sovereignty extending beyond Israel, even using individuals outside His covenant people to accomplish His will.
• and put a word (וַיָּשֶׂם דָּבָר – vayyāśem dāvār):
  • and put (וַיָּשֶׂם – vayyāśem from śīm): Literally "and he placed" or "he put." This strong verb indicates an active, decisive placement, signifying that God is the source and authority behind the message. It's not Balaam discerning a word, but God directly implanting it.
  • a word (דָּבָר – dāvār): In Hebrew, dāvār can mean "word," "thing," "matter," "message," or "command." Here, it signifies the specific divine pronouncement or oracle that Balaam is to deliver. It underscores the precise and authoritative nature of what God communicates.
• in his mouth (בְּפִיו – bəfīv):
  • in (בְּ – bə): A preposition indicating location or means.
  • his mouth (פִיו – pīv): Balaam's mouth. This emphasizes that Balaam becomes a mere conduit for God's message, not originating his own thoughts or words. It's a direct, literal expression of prophetic inspiration, ensuring the integrity of the message.
• and said, (וַיֹּאמֶר – vayyōmer): Standard Hebrew verb "and he said," introducing direct speech. It clearly indicates the command that follows is from the LORD.
• 'Return to Balak (שׁוּב אֶל־בָּלָק – šūv ’el-bālāq):
  • Return (שׁוּב – šūv): "Turn back," "go back." A clear directive for Balaam to cease his solitary communion with God and face the king to deliver the message.
  • to Balak (אֶל־בָּלָק – ’el-bālāq): King of Moab, who eagerly awaits a curse against Israel. The direction emphasizes the immediate audience for the divine oracle.
• and thus you shall speak.'" (וְכֹה תְדַבֵּר – wəkhōh tədabber):
  • and thus (וְכֹה – wəkhōh): Emphasizes that Balaam is to speak exactly what God is about to reveal or has already given him. It highlights the non-negotiable, verbatim nature of the prophetic message. Balaam is a messenger, not an interpreter or creator of the word.
  • you shall speak (תְדַבֵּר – tədabber): Future tense, emphasizing a direct command for action. This is Balaam's task.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the LORD met Balaam": Highlights divine initiative and specific target. God's direct intervention into Balaam's pagan sphere of operation. It's not Balaam finding God, but God seeking Balaam to fulfill His own purposes.
• "and put a word in his mouth": The core action of divine inspiration. It means the message originates entirely with God, demonstrating His control over what is uttered and preventing human manipulation or bias in the message. This action is central to genuine biblical prophecy.
• "and said, 'Return to Balak'": A direct command setting the immediate context and recipient of the divine message. Balaam is God's messenger to Balak, reversing Balak's intention of Balaam being a mouthpiece for his own wishes.
• "and thus you shall speak.": The ultimate instruction: deliver the exact message given by God. It underscores the messenger's passive role in relaying the exact divine word, stressing faithfulness to the revelation rather than independent discourse.

Numbers 23 16 Bonus section

The repeated motif of "the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth" (also seen in Num 23:5 and 24:4, 16) emphasizes God's consistent and direct involvement. It highlights that the oracles were not products of Balaam's pagan divinatory techniques, but divine intervention that overrode such practices. This stands as a powerful polemic against the superstitious beliefs prevalent in the ancient Near East, showing that YHWH is superior to all magic and human schemes. Though Balaam initially sought to fulfill Balak's desires, the Lord transformed him into a vessel of His own will, demonstrating divine authorship over the prophecies and the unbreakable nature of God's covenant blessing on Israel. The nature of prophetic utterance, directly controlled by God, meant Balak could never receive the curse he so desperately desired.

Numbers 23 16 Commentary

Numbers 23:16 powerfully illustrates God's unassailable sovereignty over His creation, including the hearts and words of men, even those who might operate outside His direct covenant. Balaam, though a diviner, could only speak what the LORD allowed and implanted within him. This verse reinforces the truth that no plan of man, no pagan incantation, nor any opposing will can ultimately thwart the divine purposes concerning Israel and His promises. It serves as a profound affirmation of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating His capacity to turn potential curses into blessings. For us, this highlights that God's truth cannot be contained or distorted when He chooses to reveal it, and His will shall always prevail. We are reminded that God can use anyone, even an instrument seemingly unsuited for His divine purposes, to achieve His glorious will. This passage reassures believers that even amidst spiritual or physical opposition, God is at work, orchestrating circumstances and controlling outcomes to secure His promised future.

Examples:

• Like God speaking through Balaam, even unforeseen or unholy sources might sometimes convey truth because God controls all things.
• God's plan for His people cannot be defeated, regardless of enemy strategies.
• When God speaks, it carries ultimate authority and is to be received without alteration.