Numbers 22:13

13 So Balaam rose up in the morning and said unto the princes of Balak, Go back to your land; for the LORD refuses to give me leave to 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 Behold, this people that has come out of Egypt, covers the face of the earth; come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them and drive them out.

12 Then God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; neither shalt thou curse the people; for they are blessed.

13 So Balaam rose up in the morning and said unto the princes of Balak, Go back to your land; for the LORD refuses to give me leave to go with you.

14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak and said, Balaam refused to come with us.

15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more and more honourable than those.