Bamidbar 22:38

38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Hinei, I am come unto thee; have I now any power at all to say anything? The devar (word, message) which Elohim putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

Bamidbar 22:38 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:38

And Balaam said unto Balak, lo, I am come unto thee
And therefore let nothing more be said of what is past: and as for future things,

have I now any power at all to say anything?
that would be agreeable to the king, and answer his purpose in sending for him, namely, to curse the people of Israel; he suggests that he had not, he was under the powerful restraint of God; he could not say what he himself was inclined to say, and what the king would have him say, and he expected he should; he could not say as some in ( Psalms 12:4 ) : the word

that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak;
whether agreeable to Balak's will and design or not, and whether for or against Israel: however, it being expressed in such indefinite terms might leave room for Balak to hope it might answer his expectations and wishes.

Bamidbar 22:38 In-Context

36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the city of Moav at the Arnon border, which is in the farthest point of the boundary.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to summon thee? Why camest thou not unto me? Am I not able indeed to honor thee?
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Hinei, I am come unto thee; have I now any power at all to say anything? The devar (word, message) which Elohim putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiryat Chutzot.
40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the sarim that were with him.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.