Numbers 22:13

13 The next morning Balaam went to Balak's messengers and said, "Go back home; the Lord has refused to let me go with you."

Numbers 22:13 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:13

And Balaam rose up in the morning
With the impression of the dream upon his mind, and of what had passed between God and him in it:

and said unto the princes of Balak;
which shows what the elders were that were sent, of what honour and dignity, and may include both those of Moab and of Midian:

get you into your land;
as soon as you can; set forward on your journey, it is to no purpose to stay here:

for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you;
he only relates one part of the answer he had from the Lord, respecting his going with them, but says not a word of his being forbid to curse Israel, and of the reason given why he should not; had he reported this, in all probability it would have prevented any further application to him, and so any attempt to get this done, which Balaam seemed aware of; and therefore, by concealing this, hoped for fresh solicitations and entreaties, and that in time the Lord might be prevailed on to let him go and curse them; he having a covetous desire of riches, honour, and preferment, in Balak's court.

Numbers 22:13 In-Context

11 that a people who came from Egypt has spread out over the whole land. He wants me to curse them for him, so that he can fight them and drive them out."

12 God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them, and do not put a curse on the people of Israel, because they have my blessing."

13 The next morning Balaam went to Balak's messengers and said, "Go back home; the Lord has refused to let me go with you."

14 So they returned to Balak and told him that Balaam had refused to come with them.

15 Then Balak sent a larger number of leaders, who were more important than the first.