Numbers 23:16-26

16 The Lord met Balaam, told him what to say, and sent him back to Balak to give him his message.
17 So he went back and found Balak still standing by his burnt offering, with the leaders of Moab. Balak asked what the Lord had said,
18 and Balaam uttered this prophecy: "Come, Balak son of Zippor, And listen to what I have to say.
19 God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done
20 I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.
21 I foresee that Israel's future Will bring her no misfortune or trouble. The Lord their God is with them; They proclaim that he is their king
22 God has brought them out of Egypt; He fights for them like a wild ox.
23 There is no magic charm, no witchcraft, That can be used against the nation of Israel. Now people will say about Israel, "Look what God has done!'
24 The nation of Israel is like a mighty lion: It doesn't rest until it has torn and devoured, Until it has drunk the blood of those it has killed."
25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "You refuse to curse the people of Israel, but at least don't bless them!"
26 Balaam answered, "Didn't I tell you that I had to do everything that the Lord told me?"

Numbers 23:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 23

This chapter gives an account of the sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam, and how God met Balsam, and put a word into his mouth, which he delivered in the presence of the king of Moab and his princes, Nu 23:1-7, the substance of which are, the separate state and condition of Israel from other nations, their number, and the happiness of the righteous at death, Nu 23:8-10, which made Balak uneasy, since instead of cursing he blessed Israel, and therefore he had him to another place to take a view of the people, Nu 23:11-13 where having offered sacrifices, another word was put into the mouth of Balaam, and which he also delivered before the king and his nobles, Nu 23:14-18, in which were expressed the unchangeableness of God, the irreversibleness of the blessing of Israel, the strength, safety, happiness, and glory of that people, Nu 23:19-24 which made Balak more uneasy still; but willing to try him a third time, he carried him to another place, and there built altars, and offered sacrifices, the consequence of which is related in the next chapter, Nu 23:25-30.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. There . . . Israel; [or] No magic charms are used in Israel, no witchcraft is practiced there.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.