Numbers 22:12
New International Version
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.”

New Living Translation
But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!”

English Standard Version
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

Berean Standard Bible
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

King James Bible
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

New King James Version
And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

New American Standard Bible
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

NASB 1995
God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

NASB 1977
And God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

Amplified Bible
God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people [of Israel], for they are blessed.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

American Standard Version
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.

Contemporary English Version
But God replied, "Don't go with Balak's messengers. I have blessed those people who have come from Egypt, so don't curse them."

English Revised Version
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But God said to Balaam, "Don't go with them! Don't curse these people, because they are blessed."

Good News Translation
God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them, and do not put a curse on the people of Israel, because they have my blessing."

International Standard Version
But God told Balaam, "Don't go with them. Don't curse the people, because they're blessed."

Majority Standard Bible
But God said to Balaam, ?Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.?

NET Bible
But God said to Balaam, "You must not go with them; you must not curse the people, for they are blessed."

New Heart English Bible
And God said to Balaam, "You are not to go with them, and you are not to curse the people, for they are blessed."

Webster's Bible Translation
And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

World English Bible
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and God says to Balaam, “You do not go with them; you do not curse the people, for it [is] blessed.”

Young's Literal Translation
and God saith unto Balaam, 'Thou dost not go with them; thou dost not curse the people; for it is blessed.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will say to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for he is praised.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And God said to Balaam : Thou shalt not go with them, nor shalt thou curse the people: because it is blessed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them, and do not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

New American Bible
But God said to Balaam: Do not go with them and do not curse this people, for they are blessed.

New Revised Standard Version
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; and you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God said to Balaam: “Do not go with them and do not curse the people, because it is blessed.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And God said unto Balaam: 'Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God said to Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them, neither shalt thou curse the people; for they are blessed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balak Summons Balaam
11‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ” 12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.” 13So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 23:4-5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Nehemiah 13:2
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

Micah 6:5
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 31:24
But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Genesis 31:29
I have power to do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’

Genesis 20:3
One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”

Genesis 20:6-7
Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. / Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”

1 Samuel 24:19
When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.

1 Samuel 26:9
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”

Psalm 109:28
Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.


Treasury of Scripture

And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Balaam, Thou shalt

Numbers 22:20
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.

Job 33:15-17
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; …

Matthew 27:19
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

thou shalt not curse

Numbers 22:19
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

Numbers 23:3,13-15,19,23
And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place…

Micah 6:5
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

for they

Numbers 23:20
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Genesis 12:2
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 22:16-18
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: …

Jump to Previous
Balaam Blessed Blessing Curse
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Balaam Blessed Blessing Curse
Numbers 22
1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. His second message obtains him
22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey
36. Balak entertains him














But God said to Balaam
In this passage, God directly communicates with Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet. This interaction highlights God's sovereignty and ability to use individuals outside of Israel for His purposes. Balaam's story is unique as it shows God's control over all nations and peoples, not just Israel. This phrase sets the stage for the unfolding narrative where God intervenes in human affairs to protect His chosen people.

Do not go with them.
God's command to Balaam is clear and direct, prohibiting him from accompanying the Moabite messengers. This instruction underscores the importance of obedience to God's will, a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The command also reflects God's protective nature over Israel, ensuring that Balaam does not align himself with those who intend harm against His people. This directive can be seen as a test of Balaam's allegiance and willingness to submit to God's authority.

You are not to curse this people,
The prohibition against cursing Israel is significant, as it demonstrates God's covenantal relationship with His people. Cursing in the ancient Near Eastern context was believed to have real power, and God's intervention prevents any potential spiritual harm. This phrase also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's blessing and protection over Israel, as seen in His promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, where God declares that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed.

for they are blessed.
God's declaration that Israel is blessed is rooted in His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This blessing is not based on Israel's merit but on God's faithfulness and promises. The concept of blessing is central to the biblical narrative, often associated with God's favor, provision, and protection. This statement reaffirms Israel's unique status as God's chosen people and foreshadows the ultimate blessing through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Israel, who brings salvation to all nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet or diviner known for his ability to bless or curse. He is approached by Balak to curse the Israelites.

2. God (Yahweh)
The one true God who communicates directly with Balaam, instructing him not to curse the Israelites.

3. Balak
The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam's help to curse them.

4. The Israelites
God's chosen people, whom He has blessed and protected throughout their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

5. Moab
The region ruled by Balak, where the Israelites are encamped, causing concern for the Moabites.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Protection
God’s command to Balaam not to curse the Israelites highlights His sovereign control over all situations. Believers can trust that God is in control and will protect His people from harm.

The Power of Blessing
The Israelites are described as blessed, which is a powerful state of being under God's favor. Christians are encouraged to seek God's blessing and live in a way that aligns with His will.

Obedience to God's Word
Balaam is instructed not to go with Balak's messengers. This teaches the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when faced with external pressures or temptations.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The protection of Israel is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Believers can find assurance in the fact that God remains faithful to His promises today.

Discernment in Spiritual Matters
Balaam's encounter with God serves as a reminder to seek discernment and wisdom in spiritual matters, ensuring that one's actions align with God's will.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Balaam,
בִּלְעָ֔ם (bil·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet

“Do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

go
תֵלֵ֖ךְ (ṯê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with them.
עִמָּהֶ֑ם (‘im·mā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

You are not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to curse
תָאֹר֙ (ṯā·’ōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 779: To execrate

this people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

are blessed.”
בָר֖וּךְ (ḇā·rūḵ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse


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OT Law: Numbers 22:12 God said to Balaam You shall not (Nu Num.)
Numbers 22:11
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