Numbers 23:5

Translations

Modern

Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”

Traditional

And the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

Literal

And YHWH put a word in the mouth of Balaam and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”

Latin

Dominus autem posuit verbum in ore ejus, et ait: Revertere ad Balac, et hæc loqueris.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”

Notes

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

Related verses

Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
Isaiah 59:21
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 51:16
I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”
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.”
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.
Numbers 22:20
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.”
Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
John 11:51
Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation,
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Luke 12:12
For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”

People

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

Glossary

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

Topics

God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The Prophets: Inspiration of

Numbers 23:5

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