Numbers 23:16

Verse

And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Jehovah met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus shalt thou speak.

And the Lord came to Balaam, and put words in his mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and this is what you are to say.

The Lord met Balaam and gave him a message to share. He told him, “Go back to Balak and this is what you are to say to him.”

King James (Authorized) Version

And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

One Unity Resource Bible

Adonai met Balaam [Not people, Destroyer of people], and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Teshuvah ·Completely return· to Balak, and say this.”

Translation for Translators

So Balaam did that, and Yahweh appeared to Balaam again and gave him another message. Then he said, “Go back to Balak and tell him that message.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

So Yahweh met Balaam and put a message in his mouth. He said, “Return to Balak and give him my message.”

Noah Webster Bible

And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again to Balak, and say thus.

World English Bible

Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”

Young's Literal Translation

and Jehovah cometh unto Balaam, and setteth a word in his mouth, and saith, 'Turn back unto Balak, and thus thou dost speak.'

Context

Balaam’s Second Oracle

¹⁵Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”¹⁶And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”

Summary

In this verse, we see Balak, the king of Moab, summoning Balaam to curse the Israelites. Despite Balak's persistence, Balaam makes it clear that he can only speak the words that God puts in his mouth. This highlights the sovereignty of God over human affairs and the inability of anyone to curse whom God has blessed. It serves as a reminder that God's protection and favor are upon His chosen people, and no external forces can thwart His plans for them.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth,.... As he did before, Num 23:5. and said, go again unto Balak, and say thus; the words which are expressed in Num 23:18.