Numbers 23:12

12 He answered, "I can say only what the Lord tells me to say."

Numbers 23:12 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 23:12

And he answered and said
By reply to Balak:

must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth?
pretending a great regard to the word of God, and to great carefulness to speak it, exactly and punctually as he received it, whereas he was forced to it, and could not do otherwise.

Numbers 23:12 In-Context

10 The descendants of Israel are like the dust - There are too many of them to be counted. Let me end my days like one of God's people; Let me die in peace like the righteous."

11 Then Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you have done is bless them."

12 He answered, "I can say only what the Lord tells me to say."

13 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come with me to another place from which you can see only some of the Israelites. Curse them for me from there."

14 He took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Mount Pisgah. There also he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each of them