Numbers 23:26

But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Balaam speaks to Balak immediately after Balak commands him to refrain from cursing or blessing Israel. The exchange occurs during Balak’s second attempt to manipulate a prophetic outcome.

The words — The terms דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי (di.Bar.ti, "did I speak") and הֲ/לֹ֗א (ha./Lo', "did I not") frame Balaam’s reminder of his prior commitment. These words anchor his statement in a past declaration of obedience to divine instruction.

The thread — The text’s assertion of compelled obedience to God over human authority appears in Numbers 22:18 and 22:38, where Balaam again defers to divine restriction. It parallels Acts 5:29, which commands obedience to God rather than men.

Why it lands — The verse establishes that prophetic speech is bound by divine command, not human negotiation. It requires readers to recognize that authority over words and actions rests with God alone.

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

וַיַּ֣עַןva/i.Ya.'anand/ he answered בִּלְעָ֔םbil.'AmBalaam וַיֹּ֖אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said אֶל־'el-to בָּלָ֑קba.LakBalak הֲלֹ֗אha./Lo'¿/ not דִּבַּ֤רְתִּיdi.Bar.tidid I speak אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙'e.Lei./khato/ you לֵאמֹ֔רle./Mor<to>/ saying כֹּ֛לkolall אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-that יְדַבֵּ֥רye.da.Berhe will speak יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahweh אֹת֥וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ it אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃'E.'e.SehI will do

King James Version

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do?

Cross-references

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
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.
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.”
2 Chronicles 18:13 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
Numbers 23:12 But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
Numbers 24:12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
1 Kings 22:14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

People named

BalaamBalak