Keraia
Numbers 23

Numbers 23:19

Balaam’s Second Oracle · Numbers 23:13–30
Read Numbers 23

Translations

Modern
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Traditional
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Literal
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and He will not do? Or has He spoken, and He will not fulfill?
Latin
…non est Deus quasi homo, ut mentiatur, nec ut filius hominis, ut mutetur. Dixit ergo, et non faciet? locutus est, et non implebit?

Original

Hebrew
English
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Notes

Numbers 23:19

Because God is faithful and always keeps his word, Balaam had no choice but to bless Israel.

He could not speak against them because God had decided to bless them.

Numbers 23:18–24

This message emphasizes God’s faithfulness to his people. He would remain with them and keep all the promises he had made.

Nothing would cause him to abandon his word or turn away from Israel.

Numbers 23:13–26

Balak hoped for different results by changing the location. The exact location of the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak is unknown. Yet, Pisgah is part of the ridge that is above the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 34:1). It is near Bamoth-baal and Mount Peor (Numbers 22:41; 23:28).

Numbers 23:1–30

  • As a diviner, Balaam carried out rituals to look for signs about the future of Israel (compare 23:23; 24:1). Balak had called him to curse Israel, but God repeatedly stopped him.

  • These sacrifices might have related to extispicy. This was the practice of examining animal livers or other organs to predict the future. Ancient Near Eastern texts show that this fortune-telling method was common and well-developed. God had forbidden Israel from such practices (see Deuteronomy 18:9–14; compare Ezekiel 21:21).

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 God’s Change of Mind

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

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

Topics

Absolute Truth Awesome God Broken Promises God: Immutable God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The God: Truth God's Character God's Faithfulness Keeping Promises Losing Faith Making Promises Not Telling the Truth Pisgah: Balaam Prophesies On Steadfastness: Exhibited by God in all his Purposes and Ways Telling Lies The Truth of God: Inviolable Trustworthiness Truth of God: Inviolable