Numbers 24:11

11 "Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor."

Numbers 24:11 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 24:11

Therefore now flee thou to thy place
His own country, from whence Balak had sent for him, and he came; begone directly, make all haste away; he speaks as one so provoked, that he could not bear him in his presence, and as threatening him if he did not at once get out of his sight:

I thought to promote thee unto great honour;
to bestow much wealth and riches upon him, and to prefer him in his court to high offices of honour and dignity; he had promised that he would, and he thought as he said, he was determined upon it, had he performed as he expected:

but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour;
the Lord thou hast so much talked of, and at whose beck and command thou hast been, and by whom thou hast been checked and controlled, he has hindered thee from riches and honour; see what thou hast got, or rather lost, by hearkening to him, and how he will pay thee for it.

Numbers 24:11 In-Context

9 "He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you."
10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!
11 "Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor."
12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,
13 'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD , either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak '?

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "flee for yourself"
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