Bible Strands
Numbers 22:18
But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Balaam addresses Balak’s messengers after they promise him rich reward to curse Israel. He states his boundary before instructing them to remain overnight so he may receive further instruction from God.
The words — The Hebrew אִם (‘im) means “if,” and יִתֶּן (yi.ten) means “he will give.” Balaam uses these terms to frame a hypothetical wealth transfer that would not override divine command.
The thread — This declaration reappears in Numbers 24:13, where Balaam again denies that silver or gold can compel him to act against God. Prophetic obedience is similarly defined in 1 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 18:13, where Micaiah vows to speak only what God commands.
Why it lands — The text establishes that divine instruction supersedes any earthly incentive. A reader must recognize that prophetic authority depends on obedience to God, not on human negotiation or reward.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 1 Kings 22:14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”
- 2 Chronicles 18:13 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”
- Numbers 23:26 But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
- Numbers 22:38 “See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”
- Daniel 5:17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.
- Acts 8:20 But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
- Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.