Numbers 23:12

But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Balaam addresses Balak after Balak complains that he blessed Israel instead of cursing them, immediately before Balak proposes relocating to view a different section of the camp.

The words — The Hebrew phrase יָשׂ֤ים בְּפִי (ya.Sim be./F/i) translates literally as "he will put in my mouth," denoting direct divine dictation.

The thread — This constraint on speech recurs in Numbers 22:38, 23:20, and 23:26, where Balaam repeatedly asserts his inability to deviate from God's commanded message.

Why it lands — The text states that prophetic speech is strictly bound to divine input, asking the reader to acknowledge that authority and outcome depend on God's command, not human arrangement.

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

וַיַּ֖עַןva/i.Ya.'anand/ he answered וַיֹּאמַ֑רva/i.yo.Marand/ he said הֲלֹ֗אha./Lo'¿/ not אֵת֩'et<obj.>אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sher[that] which יָשִׂ֤יםya.Simhe will put יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahweh בְּפִ֔יbe./F/iin/ mouth/ my אֹת֥וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ it אֶשְׁמֹ֖ר'esh.Morwill I take care לְדַבֵּֽר׃le./da.Berto/ speak

King James Version

And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth?

Cross-references

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.”
Numbers 23:20 I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.
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.
Proverbs 26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
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.”
Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
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.