Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionIf 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 BibleIf 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 BibleIf 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 1917If 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.”… 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. Jump to Previous Able Bad Balak Command Commandment Contrary Either House Mind Palace Silver Speak Speaketh Speaks WordJump to Next Able Bad Balak Command Commandment Contrary Either House Mind Palace Silver Speak Speaketh Speaks WordNumbers 24 1. Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel10. Balak, in anger, dismisses him 15. He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations 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 to Balaam. The mention of a "house full of silver and gold" signifies not just material wealth but also the temptation of earthly riches. In the Hebrew context, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet here it is used as a test of Balaam's integrity. The phrase challenges the reader to consider the value of spiritual obedience over material gain, echoing the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament about the dangers of wealth. I could not go beyond the command of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will I must say only what the LORD says Hebrew that even ifאִם־ (’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 Links Numbers 24:13 NIVNumbers 24:13 NLT Numbers 24:13 ESV Numbers 24:13 NASB Numbers 24:13 KJV Numbers 24:13 BibleApps.com Numbers 24:13 Biblia Paralela Numbers 24:13 Chinese Bible Numbers 24:13 French Bible Numbers 24:13 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house (Nu Num.) |
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