Numbers 23 19

Numbers 23:19 kjv

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Numbers 23:19 nkjv

"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Numbers 23:19 niv

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19 esv

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Numbers 23:19 nlt

God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Numbers 23 verses

Numbers 23 19 Meaning

Numbers 23:19 is a profound declaration by the pagan prophet Balaam concerning the unchanging character of God. It asserts God's absolute truthfulness, faithfulness, and steadfastness. Unlike humans who are prone to lying, deceit, and changing their minds, God is utterly reliable. What He promises, He will unfailingly deliver; what He declares, He will certainly bring to pass. This verse underscores the immutability of God's character and His divine integrity, emphasizing that His word is irrevocably bound to His action.

Numbers 23 19 Context

Numbers chapter 23 recounts Balaam's first two oracles (prophecies) after King Balak of Moab hired him to curse the Israelites. Balak desperately wanted to prevent Israel from advancing through his land, seeing their multitude as a threat. He hoped Balaam, a renowned diviner, could manipulate spiritual forces. Balak had Balaam offer sacrifices from different vantage points, attempting to elicit a curse against Israel. However, God sovereignly intervened, putting words of blessing, not cursing, into Balaam's mouth. In his first oracle (Nu 23:7-10), Balaam spoke God's blessing and noted Israel's unique separateness. This disappointed Balak. In an attempt to get a different outcome, Balak moved Balaam to a new location. Yet, despite Balak's intentions, Balaam was compelled by God to utter another oracle, containing the powerful statement of Numbers 23:19. This verse serves as a direct rebuke to Balak's hope that God might change His mind or be swayed, reinforcing God's unwavering intention to bless Israel.

Numbers 23 19 Word analysis

• God (אֵל, ʾEl): This is a generic, powerful term for "God," distinct from YHWH (the personal covenant name). Balaam uses it perhaps to emphasize God's supreme authority and universal power, which would be recognized by Balak. It speaks to God's strength and might, underscoring that His word is not weak.
• not a man (לֹא אִישׁ, lo ʾish): The Hebrew ʾish refers to a specific, individual man, highlighting the contrast with humanity in its individual capacity. Unlike human beings, God is not subject to frailties, biases, or limitations that lead to deceit.
• lie (יְכַזֵּב, yekazzev): The verb means "to deceive," "to deal falsely," or "to speak a lie." It refers to an intentional falsehood. God, in His perfect moral character, is incapable of any deceit or falsehood; He is truth itself.
• neither the son of man (וּבֶן־אָדָם, u-ben-ʾadam): "Son of man" is a broader term for humanity in general, often connoting mortality, weakness, or fallibility. It encompasses the collective frailties of the human race.
• repent (יִתְנֶחָם, yitnakhem): From the root nacham, this Hithpael form typically means "to be sorry," "to change one's mind," or "to relent." When Scripture applies "repent" to God, it refers to a change in His action or relationship towards humanity in response to human conduct (e.g., in judgment or mercy), rather than a change in His intrinsic character, eternal purpose, or immutable counsel. Here, in contrast to humans, God's mind regarding His steadfast promises and decrees—such as blessing Israel—is fixed and unalterable.
• hath he said, and shall he not do it? (הַהוּא אָמַר וְלֹא יַעֲשֶׂה, ha-hu ʾamar ve-lo yaʿaseh):
  • said (אָמַר, ʾamar): Refers to a verbal utterance or declaration. It’s a foundational act of speaking.
  • do it (יַעֲשֶׂה, yaʿaseh): Implies active performance, execution, or bringing into being. The rhetorical question asserts that God's declaration will result in action.
• or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (וְדִבֶּר וְלֹא יְקִימֶנָּה, ve-dibber ve-lo yekîmennah):
  • spoken (דִבֶּר, dibber): This word often implies a more deliberate, authoritative, or solemn utterance compared to ʾamar. It carries weight and intentionality.
  • make it good (יְקִימֶנָּה, yekîmennah): From the root qum (to rise, stand), it means "to establish," "to confirm," "to uphold," or "to bring to fulfillment/performance." God's word is not empty; it has power to stand and establish what it declares.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent:": This parallel structure creates a sharp theological dichotomy between divine and human nature. Humans are inherently flawed and can be false or vacillating; God, by His very nature, is utterly truthful and unchanging in His purpose. This sets Him apart from human rulers or pagan deities who are often depicted with human failings.
• "hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?": These two rhetorical questions strongly emphasize God's faithfulness and power to execute His word. The first highlights the immediate doing of what is declared (amar to yaʿaseh), while the second reinforces the authoritative and confirming establishment of His words (dibber to yekimenah). Together, they leave no room for doubt about the certainty of God's intentions and actions.

Numbers 23 19 Bonus section

The positioning of this truth in the mouth of a hired pagan prophet, Balaam, adds to its profundity and authenticity. It's not an Israelite defending their God, but an outside agent, bound by divine power, confirming His unparalleled attributes. This acts as a powerful polemic against the fickle, capricious, and often deceptive pagan gods worshipped by Balak and surrounding nations. Such deities were often depicted as having human-like flaws, changing their minds based on offerings or manipulation, and prone to lies and unpredictable behavior. Numbers 23:19 contrasts the God of Israel as utterly distinct—stable, dependable, and sovereign over His word and will. It highlights the divine dignity and unwavering resolve, asserting that no amount of magic or pagan ritual (like those performed by Balaam and Balak) can make God contradict Himself or revoke His purposes for Israel.

Numbers 23 19 Commentary

Numbers 23:19 stands as one of the Bible's most emphatic declarations of God's character. Uttered surprisingly by a non-Israelite prophet under divine compulsion, it reveals essential truths about the Lord: His perfect truthfulness, His unchanging nature (immutability), and the unwavering power and certainty of His word.

This verse assures us that God's character is the bedrock of our faith. He cannot lie, not because He lacks the capacity to deceive, but because it is contrary to His perfect nature. His words are extensions of His being, making them absolutely reliable. Similarly, His "repentance" is fundamentally different from human change of mind, which implies fault, weakness, or regret for a mistaken decision. When the Bible describes God "repenting," it indicates a change in His action or response towards His creation based on human action (e.g., Israel's repentance altering His declared judgment, or Abraham's intercession influencing His planned destruction), all within the framework of His immutable will and perfect justice. But in the context of His declared promises or decrees (like the blessing of Israel here), His purpose remains fixed.

The rhetorical questions reinforce the divine guarantee: what God declares, He will certainly bring to pass. His promises are not suggestions; His plans are not tentative. This unwavering fidelity of God provides ultimate security and hope for His people, particularly Israel whom He vowed to bless. It means believers can utterly trust in every promise of God, whether in the Old Testament concerning His covenant people or in the New Testament concerning salvation in Christ.

For instance, believers find assurance that God will fulfill His promises of salvation, eternal life, and His continuing faithfulness, irrespective of human failure (Rom 11:29; 2 Tim 2:13). It assures us that Jesus Christ, who embodies God's word, is the same yesterday, today, and forever, reflecting the constancy of God Himself (Heb 13:8).