New International Version The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.” New Living Translation The LORD gave Balaam a message for King Balak. Then he said, “Go back to Balak and give him my message.” English Standard Version And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” Berean Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” Berean Literal Bible And YHWH put a word in the mouth of Balaam and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” King James Bible And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. New King James Version Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” New American Standard Bible Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you shall speak.” NASB 1995 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” NASB 1977 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” Amplified Bible Then the LORD put a speech in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.” Berean Annotated Bible Then the LORD {YHWH} put a message in Balaam’s (not of the people) mouth, saying, “Return to Balak (devastator) and give him this message. Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak and say what I tell you.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak and say what I tell you.” American Standard Version And Jehovah put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. Contemporary English Version The LORD gave Balaam a message, then sent him back to tell Balak. English Revised Version And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD told Balaam, "Go back to Balak, and give him my message." Good News Translation The LORD told Balaam what to say and sent him back to Balak to give him his message. International Standard Version Then the LORD gave Balaam this message. "Return to Balak and speak to him." NET Bible Then the LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and speak what I tell you." New Heart English Bible And God put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak." Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” World English Bible Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand YHWH puts a word in the mouth of Balaam and says, “Return to Balak, and thus you speak.” Berean Literal Bible And YHWH put a word in the mouth of Balaam and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” Young's Literal Translation and Jehovah putteth a word in the mouth of Balaam, and saith, 'Turn back unto Balak, and thus thou dost speak.' Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will put the word in Balaam's mouth, and say, Turn back to Balak, and thus shalt thou speak. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord put the word in his mouth, and said: Return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the Lord placed the word in his mouth, and he said: “Return to Balak, and you shall say this.” New American Bible The LORD put an utterance in Balaam’s mouth, and said: Go back to Balak, and speak accordingly. New Revised Standard Version The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you must say.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said to him, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH put the word in the mouth of Balaam and said to him: “Go to Balaq and thus speak.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said: 'Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And God put a word into the mouth of Balaam, and said, thou shalt return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Balaam's First Oracle…4and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.” 5Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.” 6So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.… Cross References Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Isaiah 51:16 I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’” saying, “Return to Balak Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. Numbers 22:38 “See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.” and give him this message.” 1 Kings 22:14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.” Matthew 10:19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. Luke 12:11 When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. Exodus 4:12 Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” 2 Peter 1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. John 12:49-50 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 1 Corinthians 2:13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, Hebrews 1:1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. Treasury of Scripture And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak. Numbers 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. Numbers 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. Jump to Previous Balaam Balaam's Balak Message Mouth Putteth Speak Turn Word WordsJump to Next Balaam Balaam's Balak Message Mouth Putteth Speak Turn Word WordsNumbers 23 1. Balak's sacrificesThen the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, God directly governed Balaam’s words, showing that His purposes could not be controlled by Balak’s payment or Balaam’s desires. Though Balaam was not an Israelite, the Lord exercised authority over him and used him to proclaim what He had determined. Deu 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you… saying, “Return to Balak Balak, king of Moab, had summoned Balaam to curse Israel because he feared the nation’s advance near his territory. Instead of granting Balak’s request, God sent Balaam back with a word that would oppose the king’s plans. Num 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men,… and give him this message.” Balaam was required to deliver God’s message faithfully, not alter it to satisfy Balak. The outcome rested with the Lord, who had chosen to bless Israel and would not allow a curse to overturn His covenant purpose. 1Ki 22:14 As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak… Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who directly communicates His will and message to Balaam. 2. Balaam A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is sought by Balak to curse Israel. Despite his questionable motives, God uses him to deliver His message. 3. Balak The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam, hoping to weaken them. 4. Moab The region ruled by Balak, representing opposition to Israel during their journey to the Promised Land. 5. Israel The chosen people of God, whom Balak seeks to curse but whom God intends to bless. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over WordsGod has the ultimate authority over the words spoken by individuals, even those who may not fully align with His will. This reminds us of His control over all situations. The Power of God's Blessing No curse or ill intention can stand against God's blessing. Believers can trust in God's promises and protection over their lives. Obedience to God's Message Balaam, despite his initial intentions, obeys God's directive to speak only what God commands. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our words and actions with God's will. God's Faithfulness to His People The account underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, and by extension, His faithfulness to all who are in Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 23:5?2. How does God's command to Balaam in Numbers 23:5 demonstrate His sovereignty? 3. What can we learn about obedience from Balaam's response to God's words? 4. How does Numbers 23:5 connect with God's unchanging nature in Malachi 3:6? 5. In what ways can we ensure our words align with God's will today? 6. How can we apply Balaam's experience to discern God's voice in our lives? 7. What does Numbers 23:5 reveal about God's sovereignty in delivering messages through prophets? 8. How does Numbers 23:5 demonstrate the authority of God's word over human intentions? 9. Why is God's direct communication with Balaam significant in Numbers 23:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 23? (5) The Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth.--"God, who had opened the mouth of the ass," says Bishop Wordsworth, in loc., "in a manner contrary to her nature, now opens Balaam's mouth in a manner contrary to his own will."Numbers 23:5 shows the LORD taking full control of both the content and delivery of His word. He times His intervention (“Then”), identifies Himself as the ultimate authority (“the LORD”), supplies the exact wording (“put a message”), uses even an imperfect vessel (“in Balaam’s mouth”), marks the speech as His own (“saying”), and insists on faithful transmission (“Return to Balak and give him this message”). The verse affirms that when God speaks, His purpose stands unaltered, ensuring that blessing, not curse, will reach His covenant people. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel put וַיָּ֧שֶׂם (way·yā·śem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set a message דָּבָ֖ר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause in Balaam’s בִלְעָ֑ם (ḇil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet mouth, בְּפִ֣י (bə·p̄î) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to saying, וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Return שׁ֥וּב (šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Balak בָּלָ֖ק (bā·lāq) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king and וְכֹ֥ה (wə·ḵōh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now give him this message.” תְדַבֵּֽר׃ (ṯə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Additonal Resources Numbers 23:5 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 23:5 Bible Gateway Numbers 23:5 Bible.com Numbers 23:5 NIV |
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