Numbers 23:26

26 However, Bil'am answered Balak, "Didn't I warn you that I must do everything ADONAI says?"

Numbers 23:26 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 23:26

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, told not I thee
He appeals to him for his honesty and faithfulness, for honest and faithful he would be thought to be, both to God and man; that when he first met him, he plainly told him what he must expect: from him:

saying, all that the Lord speaketh, that I must do;
which was very true, he was obliged to do as he had bid him, and speak what he had said unto him, though it was sore against his will; he would fain both have spoken and done otherwise, if he might have been permitted.

Numbers 23:26 In-Context

24 "Here is a people rising up like a lioness; like a lion he rears himself up -he will not lie down till he eats up the prey and drinks the blood of the slain."
25 Balak said to Bil'am, "Obviously, you won't curse them. But at least don't bless them!"
26 However, Bil'am answered Balak, "Didn't I warn you that I must do everything ADONAI says?"
27 Balak said to Bil'am, "Come, I will take you now to another place; maybe it will please God for you to curse them for me from there."
28 Balak took Bil'am to the top of P'or, overlooking the desert.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.