Numbers 24:12

12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I tell you up front when you sent your emissaries,

Numbers 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 24:12

And Balaam said unto Balak
In order to mitigate his wrath, and bring him into a better temper:

spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me:
those that came to him a second time; for to the first he said nothing of what is after related, but to the last he did much the same as he had afterwards said to Balak himself: saying,

Numbers 24:12 In-Context

10 Balak lost his temper with Balaam. He shook his fist. He said to Balaam: "I got you in here to curse my enemies and what have you done? Blessed them! Blessed them three times!

11 Get out of here! Go home! I told you I would pay you well, but you're getting nothing. You can blame God."

12 Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I tell you up front when you sent your emissaries,

13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace stuffed with silver and gold, I couldn't do anything on my own, whether good or bad, that went against God's command'?

14 I'm leaving for home and my people, but I warn you of what this people will do to your people in the days to come."