Numbers 24:13

‘Even if Balak would give me a palace filled with silver and gold, I would not disobey Yahweh. I cannot do anything bad or anything that is good that he does not approve of.’ And I told you that I could say only what Yahweh says to me.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

In Context

12Balaam said to Balak, “ Do you not remember what [RHQ] I told the messengers that you sent to me? I said,

14So yes, I will return to my people, but first, allow me to tell you what will happen to you Moab people in the future.”

Read all of Numbers 24

Cross References

Numbers 22:8Balaam said, “Stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning I will tell you whatever Yahweh tells me that I should say to you.” So the leaders from Moab stayed there that night.

Numbers 22:20That night God appeared to Balaam again and said to him, “These men have come to request that you go back with them, so you may go with them, but do only what I tell you to do!”

Matthew Henry on Numbers 24:11-15

Balak's Remonstrance. ( b. c. 1452.) 10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour. 12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13 If Balak would give me his… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Numbers 24:13