Numbers 22:38

38 cui ille respondit ecce adsum numquid loqui potero aliud nisi quod Deus posuerit in ore meo

Numbers 22:38 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:38

And Balaam said unto Balak, lo, I am come unto thee
And therefore let nothing more be said of what is past: and as for future things,

have I now any power at all to say anything?
that would be agreeable to the king, and answer his purpose in sending for him, namely, to curse the people of Israel; he suggests that he had not, he was under the powerful restraint of God; he could not say what he himself was inclined to say, and what the king would have him say, and he expected he should; he could not say as some in ( Psalms 12:4 ) : the word

that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak;
whether agreeable to Balak's will and design or not, and whether for or against Israel: however, it being expressed in such indefinite terms might leave room for Balak to hope it might answer his expectations and wishes.

Numbers 22:38 In-Context

36 quod cum audisset Balac egressus est in occursum eius in oppido Moabitarum quod situm est in extremis finibus Arnon
37 dixitque ad Balaam misi nuntios ut vocarent te cur non statim venisti ad me an quia mercedem adventui tuo reddere nequeo
38 cui ille respondit ecce adsum numquid loqui potero aliud nisi quod Deus posuerit in ore meo
39 perrexerunt ergo simul et venerunt in urbem quae in extremis regni eius finibus erat
40 cumque occidisset Balac boves et oves misit ad Balaam et principes qui cum eo erant munera
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.