Numbers 23:16-26

16 So the Lord came to Balaam and told him what to say. Then he said, "Go back to Balak and say such and such."

17 So Balaam went to Balak, where he and the leaders of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering. Balak asked him, "What did the Lord say?"

18 Then Balaam gave this message: "Stand up, Balak, and listen. Hear me, son of Zippor.

19 God is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he makes come true

20 He told me to bless them, so I cannot change the blessing.

21 He has found no wrong in the people of Jacob; he saw no fault in Israel. The Lord their God is with them, and they praise their King

22 God brought them out of Egypt; they are as strong as a wild ox.

23 No tricks will work on the people of Jacob, and no magic will work against Israel. People now say about them, 'Look what God has done for Israel!'

24 The people rise up like a lioness; they get up like a lion. Lions don't rest until they have eaten, until they have drunk their enemies' blood."

25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "You haven't cursed these people, so at least, don't bless them!"

26 Balaam answered Balak, "I told you before that I can only do what the Lord tells 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.