Números 23

Números 23

Click for Numbers Chapters 1-36 Numbers: Journey to God's Rest-Land by Irving Jensen- used by permission Source: Ryrie Study Bible THE BOOK OF NUMBERS "Wilderness Wandering" WALKING Numbers 1-12 WANDERING Numbers 13-25 WAITING Numbers 26-36 Counting & Camping Nu 1-4 Cleansing & Congregation Nu 5-8 Carping & Complaining Nu 9-12 12 Spies & Death in Desert Nu 13-16 Aaron & Levites in Wilderness Nu 17-18 Serpent of Brass & Story of Balaam Nu 21-25 Second Census 7 Laws of Israel Nu 26-30 Last Days of Moses as Leader Nu 31-33 Sections, Sanctuaries & Settlements Nu 34-36 Law & Order Rebellion & Disorder New Laws for the New Order Old Generation Tragic Transition New Generation Preparation for the Journey: Moving Out Participation in the Journey: Moving On Prize at end of the Journey: Moving In At Sinai Mt Sinai To Moab Mt Hor At Moab Mt Nebo En Route to Kadesh (Mt Sinai) En Route to Nowhere (Wilderness) En Route to Canaan (Plains of Moab) A Few Weeks to 2 Months 38 years, 3 months, 10 days A Few Months Christ in Numbers = Our "Lifted-up One" (Nu 21:9, cp Jn 3:14-15) Author: Moses Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here." BGT Numbers 23:1 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῷ Βαλακ οἰκοδόμησόν μοι ἐνταῦθα ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς καὶ ἑτοίμασόν μοι ἐνταῦθα ἑπτὰ μόσχους καὶ ἑπτὰ κριούς NET Numbers 23:1 Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams." NLT Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to King Balak, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for me to sacrifice." ESV Numbers 23:1 And Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams." NIV Numbers 23:1 Balaam said, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." KJV Numbers 23:1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. YLT Numbers 23:1 And Balaam saith unto Balak, 'Build for me in this place seven altars, and make ready for me in this place seven bullocks and seven rams.' LXE Numbers 23:1 And Balaam said to Balac, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven calves, and seven rams. ASV Numbers 23:1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. CSB Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." NKJ Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams." NRS Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." NAB Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars, and prepare seven bullocks and seven rams for me here." NJB Numbers 23:1 Balaam said to Balak, 'Build me seven altars here and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams.' GWN Numbers 23:1 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." Build me: Nu 23:29 Eze 33:31 Jude 1:11 seven altars: Ex 20:24 27:1-8 1Sa 15:22 2Ki 18:22 Ps 50:8,9 Pr 15:8 Isa 1:11-15 Mt 23:14 seven oxen: Nu 29:32 1Ch 15:26 2Ch 29:21 Job 42:8 Eze 45:23 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THREE SEVENS Jensen - From a purely quantitative standpoint, the words of God are given obvious preeminence in this story of Balak and Balaam, for chapters 23 and 24 for the most part are God’s words of blessing on Israel as God revealed these to Balaam. The chapters contain four messages, sometimes called prophecies, delivered to Balak. Three were solicited by Balak; the fourth was given voluntarily by Balaam after he had been severely rebuked by Balak. Chapters 23 and 24 are two of the brightest chapters in the book of Numbers. Scores of wonderful things are said about Israel, mainly prophetical. The dark sins of the past were forgotten; only happy deliverance from Egypt was cited. Israel was about to enter the promised land. The heathen nation of Moab desired to curse it out of existence. Unknown to the Israelites, God gave verbal testimony to this enemy of Israel that His people should not be cursed but blessed manifoldly. How often God has defeated the enemy of a child of His even when that child has been unaware of the opposition! (EvBC-Nu) NET Note - The first part of Balaam's activity ends in disaster for Balak – he blesses Israel. The chapter falls into four units: the first prophecy (Nu 23:1–10), the relocation (Nu 23:11–17), the second prophecy (Nu 23:18–24), a further location (Nu 23:25–30). Seven was a sacred number not just in the Bible but in the pagan world as well (see Nu 29:1ff; Lev 8:11; 14:7, 16; 16:14, 19; 25:1–55) Allen observes that there are seven "oracles" (also called "discourse) and "Each oracle is introduced in the same manner (Nu 23:7a, Nu 23:18a; Nu 24:3a, Nu 24:15a, Nu 24:20b, Nu 24:21b, Nu 24:23a). The sacrifices here are not the sacrifices of chapters 15 and 28–29. These are pagan actions that contrast with the true worship of God. The number seven was held in high regard among Semitic peoples in general; the many animals would provide abundant liver and organ materials for the diviner from the east. Balaam is in charge; Balak is now his subordinate. (EBC) Then - This continues from Numbers 22:41 "Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people." fits with this next section from Nu 23:1-10. Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars (Nu 23:4, Nu 23:14, Nu 23:29,30) for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here - Why seven altars? Seven altars has the earmarks of pagan rituals and magic for nowhere in Scripture is more than one altar mentioned. Although it was called a burnt offering (Nu 23:3), there is no evidence that Yahweh called for this ritual. In fact it is clear Yahweh is worshipped only at the altar in the Tabernacle as administered by the priests. Balak was not a priest. Ronald Allen - The number seven was held in high regard among Semitic peoples in general; the many animals would provide abundant liver and organ materials for the diviner from the east. Balaam is in charge; Balak is now his subordinate. (EBC) Milgrom - Ibn Ezra points to the frequency of the number seven in the cultic calendar: the seventh day (Sabbath), the seventh week (Shavuot), the seventh month (Tishrei), the seventh year (the Sabbatical for land and remission of debts), seven burnt offering lambs (on festivals, twice seven on Sukkot), seven sprinklings (in the Temple on Yom Kippur and for the purification of the leper). He also points to the sacrificial requirement of seven bulls and seven rams for Job’s friends (Job 42:8) and the astrological significance of seven. The magical use of seven is attested in the Bible: leprous Naaman bathes seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:10, 14); Elijah orders his servant to scan the skies seven times for signs of rain (1 Kings 18:43); Joshua’s army circuits Jericho seven times on the seventh day (Josh. 6:4, 10). In the Talmud, a medical prescription requires seven twigs from seven trees, seven nails from seven bridges, and so on. (Numbers - JPS) George Bush - A peculiar sanctity did indeed attach to the number seven among the Jews, but we nowhere read of seven altars in the appointed worship of that people. As they acknowledged but one God, so they had but one altar. Hence the erection of seven, by Balaam’s order, savored seemingly of the tricks of magic and incantation. The more charitable conjectures of some expositors would refer it, however, to a desire to propitiate the God of the Jews, who had created the world within seven days, and had otherwise signalized this number. This we are inclined to regard as the correct solution of the incident, as otherwise we cannot so well account for the language in v. 3, “peradventure the Lord (Jehovah) will come to me,” which implies, we think, that he designed to address his worship to the true God. Yet his conduct was marred as usual by gross inconsistency. His impiety is here evinced by the fact that instead of dissuading Balak from his wicked purpose by citing the authority of God, who had forbidden him to curse Israel, he unites with him in endeavoring to effect this iniquitous end, and that, too, under color of religious service, building altars and offering sacrifices, as if the unchangeable Jehovah could be wrought upon by such ceremonies. Alas, how soon had he forgotten the oracle of God, the sword of the Angel, and the dangers he had so narrowly escaped in the way, and how eagerly was he now “running after the error” of his evil heart, making good the saying of the prophet, “Let favor be shown to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness.” Wenham (TOTC-Nu) has an excellent summary of the time sequence and Balaam's encounters with God DAYS 1-2 Introduction Balaam's First Encounter with God DAYS 3-4 Balaam's Second Encounter Balaam's Third Encounter Nu 21:22-23 Donkey sees Angel -1 Nu 21:24-25 Donkey sees Angel -2 Nu 21:26-35 Donkey sees Angel -3 Nu 22:36-24:25 DAYS 5-6 Introduction Nu 22:41-23:12 First Blessing of Israel Second Blessing of Israel Nu 23:27-24:25 Third Blessing Nu 24:3-9 Blessing #3 Nu 24:15-19 Blessing #4 Nu 24:20-24 Three Numbers 23:2 Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. BGT Numbers 23:2 καὶ ἐποίησεν Βαλακ ὃν τρόπον εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλααμ καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν NET Numbers 23:2 So Balak did just as Balaam had said. Balak and Balaam then offered on each altar a bull and a ram. NLT Numbers 23:2 Balak followed his instructions, and the two of them sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each altar. ESV Numbers 23:2 Balak did as Balaam had said. And Balak and Balaam offered on each altar a bull and a ram. NIV Numbers 23:2 Balak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar. KJV Numbers 23:2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. YLT Numbers 23:2 And Balak doth as Balaam hath spoken, and Balak -- Balaam also -- offereth a bullock and a ram on the altar, LXE Numbers 23:2 And Balac did as Balaam told him; and he offered up a calf and a ram on every altar. ASV Numbers 23:2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. CSB Numbers 23:2 So Balak did as Balaam directed, and they offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NKJ Numbers 23:2 And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NRS Numbers 23:2 Balak did as Balaam had said; and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NAB Numbers 23:2 So he did as Balaam had ordered, offering a bullock and a ram on each altar. And Balak said to him, "I have erected the seven altars, and have offered a bullock and a ram on each." NJB Numbers 23:2 Balak did as Balaam said and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar. GWN Numbers 23:2 Balak did what Balaam told him, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar. offered: Nu 23:14,30 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar - Seven offerings on seven altars. These were not the sacrifices Yahweh had prescribed in Nu 15:1-3ff+ but were pagan sacrifices. Numbers 23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you." So he went to a bare hill. BGT Numbers 23:3 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ παράστηθι ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας σου καὶ πορεύσομαι εἴ μοι φανεῖται ὁ θεὸς ἐν συναντήσει καὶ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐάν μοι δείξῃ ἀναγγελῶ σοι καὶ παρέστη Βαλακ ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας αὐτοῦ καὶ Βαλααμ ἐπορεύθη ἐπερωτῆσαι τὸν θεὸν καὶ ἐπορεύθη εὐθεῖαν NET Numbers 23:3 Balaam said to Balak, "Station yourself by your burnt offering, and I will go off; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever he reveals to me I will tell you." Then he went to a deserted height. NLT Numbers 23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the LORD will respond to me. Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me." So Balaam went alone to the top of a bare hill, ESV Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said to Balak, "Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you." And he went to a bare height, NIV Numbers 23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stay here beside your offering while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet with me. Whatever he reveals to me I will tell you." Then he went off to a barren height. KJV Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. YLT Numbers 23:3 and Balaam saith to Balak, 'Station thyself by thy burnt-offering and I go on, it may be Jehovah doth come to meet me, and the thing which He sheweth me -- I have declared to thee;' and he goeth to a high place. LXE Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said to Balac, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will go and see if God will appear to me and meet me, and the word which he shall shew me, I will report to thee. And Balac stood by his sacrifice. ASV Numbers 23:3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt-offering, and I will go: peradventure Jehovah will come to meet me; and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to a bare height. CSB Numbers 23:3 Balaam said to Balak, "Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone. Maybe the LORD will meet with me. I will tell you whatever He reveals to me." So he went to a barren hill. NKJ Numbers 23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you." So he went to a desolate height. NRS Numbers 23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stay here beside your burnt offerings while I go aside. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you." And he went to a bare height. NAB Numbers 23:3 Balaam then said to him, "Stand here by your holocaust while I go over there. Perhaps the LORD will meet me, and then I will tell you whatever he lets me see." He went out on the barren height, NJB Numbers 23:3 Balaam then said to Balak, 'Stand beside your burnt offerings while I go away. Perhaps Yahweh will come and meet me. If he does, I shall tell you whatever he reveals to me.' And he withdrew to a bare hill. GWN Numbers 23:3 Balaam said to Balak, "Stay here beside your burnt offering while I'm gone. Maybe the LORD will come and meet with me. I will tell you whatever he reveals to me." Then Balaam went off to a higher place where there were no trees. Stand: Nu 23:15 burnt: Ge 8:20 22:2,7,8,13 Ex 18:12 Lev 1:1 perhaps: Nu 23:15 22:8,9,31-35 24:1 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand (command) beside your burnt offering - The Hebrew verb for stand beside "means "to take a stand, station oneself." It is more intentional than simply standing by something. He was to position himself by the sacrifice as Balaam withdrew to seek the oracle." (NN). UBS - The Hebrew verb for Stand suggests more than a casual standing nearby the altars and their sacrificial animals; rather, a more deliberate stance is in view, so this verb may be rendered “Station yourself” (NET, Alter) or “Stand watch” (so Noordtzij, page 215). Balaam expects Balak to wait by his sacrifice, while he goes off to receive a message from the LORD (not at the site of the sacrifice). and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me (Lit - and the word of what he shows me) I will tell you." - Balaam is saying that the word will consist of divine revelation. Bush - I will go. That is, will go by myself into some private place, where I can perform those additional secret rites which are necessary to complete success. This may be inferred from Nu 24:1, “When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens..." So he went to a bare hill - NET = " Then he went to a deserted height." A bare hill, a barren height, Young's Literal = "a high place." UBS - Balaam had to go to a high place to be closer to God (so NET footnote), from where he could see the people of Israel, the object of the curse or blessing. Otherwise the curse or blessing would not be effective (ED: OR SO THEY SURMISED IN THEIR FUTILE SPECULATIONS!) NN - "He went up to a bald spot, to a barren height. The statement underscores the general belief that such tops were the closest things to the gods. On such heights people built their shrines and temples." Bush - And he went to an high place. Heb. va-yëlek shephi, of which the true sense is not easily ascertained. “Solitary,” or “to a solitary place;” “a valley;” “a cliff of a rock;” “a bare hill,” are the various renderings ascribed to it by critics and lexicographers. Chald. “He went alone.” Gr. “He went straight forward.” Vulg. “When he was gone with speed.” A satisfactory choice from among these conflicting senses is scarcely possible, but as the current of authority inclines to the signification of “hill” or “summit,” we, on the whole, abide in that as the most probable. Hengstenberg, with much confidence, adopts “bare hill” as the rendering, as the verb shâphâh, from which shephi is derived, has for its primary signification to plane or smooth off. The altars were probably erected on a summit or summits shaded with trees, which intercepted the prospect; the hill to which Balaam went may be supposed to have been a bare or naked eminence, giving him an unobstructed view of the neighboring regions. Prof. Lee translates it, “An elevated and conspicuous place, having an extensive view.” Jensen - Balaam by profession was an augur, foretelling the future on the basis of omens or signs which he would see from phenomena of nature. This was a common heathen practice. And so it was that when the moment came for him to seek the first message from God, he sought out a “bare height” (23:3) where he might see omens. Numbers 23:4 Now God met Balaam, and he said to Him, "I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar." BGT Numbers 23:4 καὶ ἐφάνη ὁ θεὸς τῷ Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Βαλααμ τοὺς ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς ἡτοίμασα καὶ ἀνεβίβασα μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν NET Numbers 23:4 Then God met Balaam, who said to him, "I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram." NLT Numbers 23:4 and God met him there. Balaam said to him, "I have prepared seven altars and have sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each altar." ESV Numbers 23:4 and God met Balaam. And Balaam said to him, "I have arranged the seven altars and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram." NIV Numbers 23:4 God met with him, and Balaam said, "I have prepared seven altars, and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram." KJV Numbers 23:4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. YLT Numbers 23:4 And God cometh unto Balaam, and he saith unto Him, 'The seven altars I have arranged, and I offer a bullock and a ram on the altar;' LXE Numbers 23:4 And Balaam went to enquire of God; and he went straight forward, and God appeared to Balaam; and Balaam said to him, I have prepared the seven altars, and have offered a calf and a ram on every altar. ASV Numbers 23:4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. CSB Numbers 23:4 God met with him and Balaam said to Him, "I have arranged seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar." NKJ Numbers 23:4 And God met Balaam, and he said to Him, "I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram." NRS Numbers 23:4 Then God met Balaam; and Balaam said to him, "I have arranged the seven altars, and have offered a bull and a ram on each altar." NAB Numbers 23:4 and God met him. NJB Numbers 23:4 God came to meet Balaam, who said to him, 'I have prepared the seven altars and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar.' GWN Numbers 23:4 God came to him, and Balaam said, "I have set up seven altars, and I offered a bull and a ram on each altar." God: Nu 23:16 22:9,20 I have prepared: Nu 23:1 Isa 58:3,4 Mt 20:12 Lu 18:12 Joh 16:2 Ro 3:27 Eph 2:9 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD MEETS WITH BALAAM Now God met Balaam - "Gr. “God appeared (phaino) to Balaam.” Chald. “The Word from before the Lord met (or came unto) Balaam.” Samaritan Pentateuch = “The Angel of God found Balaam.” The “meeting” was probably by a visible manifestation in the form of an angel, as on a former occasion. Although Balaam now sought the Lord, both from wrong motives and in wrong methods, so far as enchantments were employed, yet He (God) was pleased to meet him and put a word in his mouth, in which He acted with a view to the good of His people (ED: IN OTHER WORDS BALAAM WOULD END UP PRONOUNCING A BLESSING ON ISRAEL), rather than to the personal gratification of the prophet." (Bush Numbers 23) Bishop Hall - “But will God meet with a sorcerer? Will he make a prophet of a magician? O man, who shall prescribe God what instruments he shall use! He knows how to employ, not only saints and angels, but wicked men, beasts, devils, to his own glory. He that puts words into the mouth of the donkey, puts words into the mouth of Balaam: the words do but pass from him; they are not polluted, because they are not his.” And he said to Him, "I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar." - Seven pagan altars set up and Balaam expects these to be acceptable to God. God makes no comment on this proliferation of altars. Ronald Allen - “The most arresting element of the introductory section is in the words ‘God met with him’ (v. 4) and ‘the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth’ (v. 5). Despite the pagan and unsavory actions of this ungodly man, the Lord deigns to meet with him and to speak through him. This is utterly remarkable. We often say that God will never use an unclean vessel. This is not quite accurate. God may use whatever vessel he wishes; the issue concerns what happens to an unclean vessel when God has finished using it for his purposes. It appears that such vessels are tossed aside, dashed on the road. (see Nu 38:8+) (EBC) Bush - I have prepared, etc. Heb. “I have set in order.” Balaam here recites his doings before the Lord, as if he did not know how many altars he had made, and how many sacrifices he had offered, or as if he would be pleased with such a magnificent show of devotion. Well might the reproof have now been addressed to Balaam which was afterwards given to Saul: “Hath the Lord as much delight in sacrifices and offerings, as in obeying the voice of the Lord: behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of lambs.” (1 Sa 15:22) To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. -- Proverbs 21:3 Numbers 23:5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus." BGT Numbers 23:5 καὶ ἐνέβαλεν ὁ θεὸς ῥῆμα εἰς τὸ στόμα Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπεν ἐπιστραφεὶς πρὸς Βαλακ οὕτως λαλήσεις NET Numbers 23:5 Then the LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and speak what I tell you." NLT Numbers 23:5 The LORD gave Balaam a message for King Balak. Then he said, "Go back to Balak and give him my message." ESV Numbers 23:5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak." NIV Numbers 23:5 The LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Go back to Balak and give him this message." KJV Numbers 23:5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. YLT Numbers 23:5 and Jehovah putteth a word in the mouth of Balaam, and saith, 'Turn back unto Balak, and thus thou dost speak.' LXE Numbers 23:5 And God put a word into the mouth of Balaam, and said, thou shalt return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak. ASV Numbers 23:5 And Jehovah put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. CSB Numbers 23:5 Then the LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak and say what I tell you." NKJ Numbers 23:5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak." NRS Numbers 23:5 The LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and this is what you must say." NAB Numbers 23:5 When he had put an utterance in Balaam's mouth, the LORD said to him, "Go back to Balak, and speak accordingly." NJB Numbers 23:5 Yahweh then put a prophecy into his mouth and said to him, 'Go back to Balak, and that is what you must say to him.' GWN Numbers 23:5 The LORD told Balaam, "Go back to Balak, and give him my message." Nu 23:16 Nu 22:35 De 18:18 Pr 16:1,9 Isa 51:16 59:21 Jer 1:9 Lu 12:12 Joh 11:51 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries YAHWEH GIVES A MESSAGE Then the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth - Even as He had done with the donkey (Nu 22:28)! As noted elsewhere this indicates that one who speaks a Word from God is not necessarily holy!