Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Balaam addresses Balak immediately after Balak demands to know why he delayed his arrival despite an urgent summons and promised reward.
The words — The Hebrew הִנֵּה (hi.neh) marks immediate presence, while בָּאתִי (va.ti) confirms the completed action of coming.
The thread — This declaration of constrained speech parallels his earlier refusal in Numbers 22:18 and the later divine dictation in Numbers 23:16, illustrating the broader scriptural pattern that God’s purpose overrides human plans (Proverbs 19:21).
Why it lands — The text establishes that prophetic speech is bound by divine commission alone, requiring the listener to recognize authority as derived from God rather than human payment or pressure.
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 said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- 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 23:26 But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
- 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.”
- Psalms 33:10 The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.
- Psalms 76:10 Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
- Isaiah 44:25 who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,