Numbers 23:26

26 Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the LORD says?”

Numbers 23:26 in Other Translations

26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

26 But Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'All that the LORD says, that I must do'?"

26 But Balaam replied to Balak, “Didn’t I tell you that I can do only what the LORD tells me?”

26 Balaam replied to Balak, "Didn't I tell you earlier: 'All God speaks, and only what he speaks, I speak'?"

26 But Balaam answered him, "Didn't I tell you: Whatever the Lord says, I must do?"

Numbers 23:26 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 23:26

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, told not I thee
He appeals to him for his honesty and faithfulness, for honest and faithful he would be thought to be, both to God and man; that when he first met him, he plainly told him what he must expect: from him:

saying, all that the Lord speaketh, that I must do;
which was very true, he was obliged to do as he had bid him, and speak what he had said unto him, though it was sore against his will; he would fain both have spoken and done otherwise, if he might have been permitted.

Numbers 23:26 In-Context

24 The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till it devours its prey and drinks the blood of its victims.”

25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”

26 Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the LORD says?”

27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.”

28 And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 22:18,20