Numbers 24:13 that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says.

◄ Numbers 24:13 ►

New International Version
Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD—and I must say only what the LORD says’?

New Living Translation
‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD.’ I told you that I could say only what the LORD says!

English Standard Version
‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’?

Berean Standard Bible
that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak’?

New American Standard Bible
‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, I will speak’?

NASB 1995
‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak ‘?

NASB 1977
‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’?

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything to trespass the command of Yahweh, either good or bad, of my own accord. What Yahweh speaks, that I will speak’?

Amplified Bible
‘Even if Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak?’

Christian Standard Bible
If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD’s command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the LORD’s command, to do anything good or bad of my own will? I will say whatever the LORD says.

American Standard Version
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what Jehovah speaketh, that will I speak?

Contemporary English Version
that even if you offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I would still obey the LORD. And I explained that I would say only what he told me.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'Even if Balak would give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn't disobey the LORD's command no matter how good or bad the request might seem to me. I must say only what the LORD says.'

Good News Translation
even if you gave me all the silver and gold in your palace, I could not disobey the command of the LORD by doing anything of myself. I will say only what the LORD tells me to say."

International Standard Version
Even if Balak gives me his palace full of silver and gold, I won't double-cross the command of the LORD and do anything—whether good or evil—on my own initiative, because I'm going to say whatever the LORD says.'

Majority Standard Bible
that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

NET Bible
If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the LORD tells me I must speak'?

New Heart English Bible
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad in my heart. I will say what God says'?

Webster's Bible Translation
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

World English Bible
‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Yahweh’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what Yahweh says’?

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
If Balak gives to me the fullness of his house of silver and gold, I am not able to pass over the command of YHWH, to do good or evil of my own heart; that which YHWH speaks—it I speak?

Young's Literal Translation
If Balak doth give to me the fulness of his house of silver and gold, I am not able to pass over the command of Jehovah, to do good or evil of mine own heart -- that which Jehovah speaketh -- it I speak?

Smith's Literal Translation
If Balak will give to me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to pass by the mouth of Jehovah, to do good or evil from my heart; what Jehovah shall speak I will speak it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
If Balac would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to utter any thing of my own head either good or evil: but whatsoever the Lord shall say, that I will speak?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Even if Balak would give me his house, filled with silver and gold, I still could not go away from the word of the Lord my God, so as to offer anything, either good or evil, from my own heart; but whatever the Lord will speak, this, too, I shall speak.

New American Bible
‘Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not of my own accord do anything, good or evil, contrary to the command of the LORD’? Whatever the LORD says I must say.

New Revised Standard Version
‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will; what the LORD says, that is what I will say’?

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not transgress the commandment of the LORD to do either good or bad of my own mind; but what the LORD says, that will I speak.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
That if Balaq gives to me a house of full of silver or gold I cannot pass over the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH and offer from my heart good or evil; anything that LORD JEHOVAH says to me, that I am speaking.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what the LORD speaketh, that will I speak?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If Balac should give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to transgress the word of the Lord to make it good or bad by myself; whatsoever things God shall say, them will I speak.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Balak Dismisses Balaam
…12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me 13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says. 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 22:14
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

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.

1 Corinthians 9:16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Amos 3:8
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?

Ezekiel 2:7
But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

Jeremiah 1:7
But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.

Jeremiah 23:28
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.

2 Chronicles 18:13
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”

Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.

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.”

John 7:16
“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.

John 8:28
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.

Treasury of Scripture

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 my own mind; but what the LORD said, that will I speak?

I will advertise

Numbers 24:17
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Numbers 31:7-18
And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males…

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.

the latter

Genesis 49:1
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

Isaiah 24:22
And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.

Jeremiah 48:47
Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.

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Numbers 24

1. Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel
10. Balak, in anger, dismisses him
15. He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold
This phrase highlights the immense wealth that Balak, the king of Moab, possessed and was willing to offer Balaam. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wealth was often measured in terms of precious metals like silver and gold. The mention of a "house full" suggests a significant amount, indicating Balak's desperation to have Balaam curse Israel. This reflects the cultural practice of offering gifts or bribes to prophets or seers to secure favorable outcomes. The refusal of Balaam to accept such wealth underscores the biblical principle that true prophecy cannot be bought or influenced by material gain, aligning with the teachings found in Proverbs 15:27 and 1 Timothy 6:10 about the dangers of greed.

I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad
Balaam acknowledges his limitations as a prophet, emphasizing that he cannot act independently of divine will. This reflects the biblical understanding that true prophets are merely vessels for God's message, as seen in 2 Peter 1:21, where prophecy is described as originating from God, not human will. The phrase "good or bad" indicates that Balaam's actions are not based on personal judgment or preference but solely on divine instruction. This highlights the sovereignty of God over human affairs and the role of prophets as obedient servants to His will.

to go beyond the command of the LORD?
This phrase underscores the authority of God's command over Balaam's actions. In the biblical narrative, the LORD's command is absolute and non-negotiable, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. Balaam's recognition of this authority is significant, as it demonstrates the power and supremacy of the God of Israel over other deities and human rulers, such as Balak. This theme is consistent throughout Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19, where adherence to God's commands is paramount.

I must speak whatever the LORD says.
Balaam's declaration of his obligation to speak only what the LORD says highlights the role of a prophet as a mouthpiece for God. This is a central theme in the prophetic tradition, where the authenticity of a prophet is measured by their faithfulness to God's message, as seen in Jeremiah 1:7 and Amos 3:8. The phrase also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus Christ, who is described in John 12:49-50 as speaking only what the Father commands. This connection emphasizes the continuity of divine revelation and the importance of obedience to God's word.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet who is known for his interactions with Balak and his refusal to curse Israel, as God commanded him to bless them instead.

2. Balak
The king of Moab who sought to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites, fearing their numbers and strength.

3. Moab
The region ruled by Balak, which was threatened by the presence of the Israelites.

4. Israelites
The people of God, whom Balak feared and sought to curse through Balaam.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who communicated His will to Balaam, ensuring that only blessings were spoken over Israel.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God's Command
Balaam's statement underscores the importance of adhering strictly to God's commands, regardless of external pressures or potential rewards. As believers, we are called to prioritize God's will above all else.

Integrity in Speech
Balaam's commitment to speak only what the LORD says challenges us to ensure that our words align with God's truth. We should strive to be vessels of His message, not our own agendas.

The Futility of Opposing God's Will
Balak's attempts to manipulate Balaam highlight the futility of opposing God's sovereign plans. This serves as a reminder that God's purposes will prevail, and we should align ourselves with His will.

The Danger of Greed and Compromise
Balaam's account warns against the temptation of material gain and the compromise of one's integrity. We must guard our hearts against the lure of wealth and remain steadfast in our faith.

God's Sovereign Protection
The account illustrates God's protective hand over His people, turning intended curses into blessings. This reassures us of His constant care and provision in our lives.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord.--Hebrew, the mouth of the Lord: the same expression which is used in Numbers 22:18, where the Authorised Version has "the word of the Lord."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

that even if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

Balak
בָלָ֜ק (ḇā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

were to give
יִתֶּן־ (yit·ten-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me
לִ֨י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

his house
בֵיתוֹ֮ (ḇê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

full
מְלֹ֣א (mə·lō)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4393: Fullness, that which fills

of silver
כֶּ֣סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and gold,
וְזָהָב֒ (wə·zā·hāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

I could
אוּכַ֗ל (’ū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

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

do
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

anything of my own accord,
מִלִּבִּ֑י (mil·lib·bî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

good
טוֹבָ֛ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

or
א֥וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

bad,
רָעָ֖ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

to go beyond
לַעֲבֹר֙ (la·‘ă·ḇōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the command
פִּ֣י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the LORD?
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

I will speak
יְדַבֵּ֥ר (yə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

whatever
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says.
אֲדַבֵּֽר׃ (’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

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OT Law: Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house (Nu Num.)