Numbers 22:13

Modern

So 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.”

Traditional

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

Literal

And Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for YHWH has refused to give me permission to go with you.”

Latin

Qui mane consurgens dixit ad principes: Ite in terram vestram, quia prohibuit me Dominus venire vobiscum.

Hebrew

English

So 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.”

God commanded Balaam not to go with Balak's messengers.

The story of Balak and Balaam marks an important turning point in Israel’s history. It includes humor, drama, and deep teaching about God.

The story makes one main point clear. The Lord’s will must be carried out. No one could stop his plan for Israel.

Theme notes and profiles

Numbers 22:14
And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
Deuteronomy 23:5
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.

Balaam: A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead Balak: King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel