Numbers 22:38

38 He answered him: Lo, here I am: shall I have power to speak any other thing but that which God shall put in my mouth?

Numbers 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.

Numbers 22:38 In-Context

36 And when Balac heard it he came forth to meet him in a town of the Moabites, that is situate in the uttermost borders of Arnon.
37 And he said to Balaam: I sent messengers to call thee, why didst thou not come immediately to me? was it because I am not able to reward thy coming?
38 He answered him: Lo, here I am: shall I have power to speak any other thing but that which God shall put in my mouth?
39 So they went on together, and came into a city, that was in the uttermost borders of his kingdom.
40 And when Balac had killed oxen and sheep, he sent presents to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.