Numbers 22:20

Translations

Modern

That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise and go with them. And only the word that I speak to you, that shall you do.”

Latin

Venit ergo Deus ad Balaam nocte, et ait ei: Si vocare te venerunt homines isti, surge, et vade cum eis: ita dumtaxat, ut quod tibi præcepero, facias.

Original

Hebrew

English

That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

Notes

Numbers 22:19–20

Balaam agreed to ask about the Lord's wishes once more. God allowed him to go with Balak’s representatives but warned him to follow God's commands exactly (see 22:35).

Numbers 22:2–24:25

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

Balaam Moab and Ammon

Related verses

Numbers 23:26
But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
Numbers 23:12
But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
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 must speak whatever the LORD says.
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.
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
Psalm 78:30–31
Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths,
Hosea 13:11
So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.
Numbers 23:5
Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
Psalm 81:12
So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
Numbers 23:16
And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”
Isaiah 37:29
Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’
Psalm 33:10–11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.

People

Balaam: A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Balaam Balak Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of False Prophets Jannes and Jambres Moab, Moabites Moses Numbers, Book of Prophets, False Shittim (Place)

Topics

Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Balaam not Permitted to Curse Israel Temptation: Yielding to Balaam

Numbers 22:20

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