Deuteronomy 23:5

Verse

Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

American Standard Version (1901)

Nevertheless Jehovah thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but Jehovah thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because Jehovah thy God loved thee.

Bible in Basic English

But the Lord your God would not give ear to Balaam, but let the curse be changed into a blessing to you, because of his love for you.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the Lord thy God would not hear Balaam, and he turned his cursing into thy blessing, because he loved thee.

Free Bible Version

But the Lord your God refused to listen to Balaam. The Lord your God turned what was meant to be a curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.

Geneva Bible 1599

Neuerthelesse, the Lord thy God would not hearken vnto Balaam, but the Lord thy God turned the curse to a blessing vnto thee, because the Lord thy God loued thee.

King James (Authorized) Version

Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

One Unity Resource Bible

Nevertheless Adonai your God would not sh'ma ·hear obey· Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people]; but Adonai your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Adonai your God 'ahav ·affectionately loved· you.

Translation for Translators

But Yahweh our God did not pay attention to Balaam; instead, he caused Balaam to bless your ancestors, because Yahweh loved them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Yahweh your God would not listen to Balaam; instead, Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because Yahweh your God loved you.

Noah Webster Bible

Nevertheless, the LORD thy God would not hearken to Balaam: but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing to thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

World English Bible

Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam, but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Yahweh your God loved you.

Young's Literal Translation

and Jehovah thy God hath not been willing to hearken unto Balaam, and Jehovah thy God doth turn for thee the reviling to a blessing, because Jehovah thy God hath loved thee;

Context

Exclusion from the Congregation

⁴For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.⁵Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.⁶You are not to seek peace or prosperity from them as long as you live.

Sermons

A Catechism on Christian Attire

Mike Avery

1.1K

Summary

This verse reminds the Israelites of how God turned the curse of Balaam into a blessing for them. It serves as a powerful example of God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen people, even when others may seek to harm them. The verse underscores the faithfulness of God in guarding and preserving His covenant with Israel, demonstrating His ability to thwart the plans of their enemies. Ultimately, it reveals God's unwavering love and care for His people, turning curses into blessings for those who trust in Him.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Nevertheless, the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam,.... To his solicitations, and the methods he took to prevail on the Lord to suffer him to curse Israel, which he gladly would have done for the sake of Balak's reward: but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee; in the very mouth of Balaam, as the Targum of Jonathan; for when he opened his mouth and Balak expected he would have cursed Israel, and he intended it, could he have been permitted, the Lord overruled his tongue, and put such words into his mouth, that instead of cursing Israel, he blessed him; see Num 23:11, because the Lord thy God loved thee; and therefore would not suffer them to be cursed; for whom the Lord loves they are blessed, and shall be so in time and to eternity.