Balaam in the Bible

Meaning: the ancient of the people; the destruction of the people

Exact Match

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMessengers Sent Out

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

Verse ConceptsOld Age, Attitudes ToReward, HumanDivination

And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyPrincesOvercoming Adversity

And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGod BlessesGod Forbidding

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

Verse ConceptsGod Forbidding

And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:

Verse ConceptsAvoid Being Hindered

And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGoldPalacesSilverSupplied With Money

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGoing Together

But God was incensed that Balaam was going, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand on the path to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyConfrontationOpposition, To Sin And EvilGod As EnemyTwo Other Men

And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyStandingBeating AnimalsAnimals Going AstraySeeing AngelsGod's Sword

And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

Verse ConceptsAccidentsInjury To FeetBeating AnimalsPressingSeeing Angelscrushes

And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyAnimal LifeRebukeActing Three TimesThe Dumb Speaking

And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyKilling Domesticated Animals

And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyRiding DonkeysPeople Possessing Other Things

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyBowingProstrationReceiving SightSeeing AngelsGod's Sword

And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

Verse ConceptsAcknowledge, SinIndividuals going homeIgnorant Of FactsWe Have Sinned

And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Verse ConceptsAngel of the LordGoing TogetherSpeaking The Word God Gives

And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMeeting PeopleArnonSpoken Greetings

And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

Verse ConceptsImportunity, Towards PeopleUrgencyWhy Do You Do This?

And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyMouthsOraclesOracles Of BalaamSpeaking The Word God Gives

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyBaal Worship, HistorySeeing People

And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.

Verse ConceptsRams

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.

Verse ConceptsHeightKnowing God, Nature OfSpeaking The Word God Gives

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.

Verse ConceptsSeven AnimalsSeven ThingsMeeting GodSacrificing Cattle Sheep And Goats

Balaam returned to Balak, and behold, he was standing by his burnt sacrifice, he and all the leaders of Moab.

Balaam proclaimed his poem:

Balak brought me from Aram;
the king of Moab, from the eastern mountains:
“Come, put a curse on Jacob for me;
come, denounce Israel!”

Verse ConceptsInvitationsJacob, The PatriarchCrude LanguageCursing IsraelWise Proverbs

And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.

Verse ConceptsWhat Do You Do?Blessing And CurseBlessed By Godcurses

Balaam replied, "Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?"

Verse ConceptsSpeaking The Word God Gives

So Balak brought Balaam to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Verse ConceptsSeven AnimalsSeven ThingsSacrificing Cattle Sheep And Goats

And Balaam said to Balak, Stand here by thy burnt-offering, and I will go to meet yonder.

And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

Verse ConceptsSpeaking The Word God Gives

When Balaam came to him, he was still standing by his burnt offering, along with the princes of Moab. And Balak said to him, "What has the Lord spoken?"

Balaam proclaimed his poem:

Balak, get up and listen;
son of Zippor, pay attention to what I say!

Verse ConceptsPay Attention To People!Wise Proverbs

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

Verse ConceptsSpeaking The Word God Gives

And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.

Verse ConceptsAmbiguityCursing Israel

And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.

Verse ConceptsSeven AnimalsSeven Things

And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Verse ConceptsGod Blesses

And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

Verse ConceptsThe Spirit Of GodCamping During The ExodusSeeing People

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Verse ConceptsEyes, Figurative UseReceiving SightWise Proverbs

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.

Verse ConceptsAnger, HumanCommunicating Three TimesClappingBlessing And CurseCursing IsraelNamed People Angry With Others

And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Verse ConceptsReceiving SightWise Proverbs

Then Balaam saw Amalek and proclaimed his poem:

Amalek was first among the nations,
but his future is destruction.

Verse ConceptsBeing FirstPeople BeginningWise Proverbs

Balaam also uttered this prophetic statement about the Kenites: "Your dwelling places are stable, because your nest is carved in solid rock.

Verse ConceptsNestsWise Proverbs

And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

Verse ConceptsFive PeopleKilling KingsKilling ProphetsNamed Gentile Rulers

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyadvisersMan's Counsel

because they did not meet you with bread (food) and water on the road as you came out of Egypt, and because they hired [to act] against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.

Verse ConceptsHiringMoney, Attitudes ToUnkindnessInhospitalityNo FoodCursing Israel

Nevertheless, the Lord your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God has loved you.

Verse ConceptsPeople Of God, In OtBlessing And CurseCursing IsraelGod Turning Bad Things Into Goodcurses

The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner (soothsayer), with the sword among [the rest of] their slain.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyKilling Named Individuals

Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, launched an attack against Israel. He summoned Balaam son of Beor to call down judgment on you.

Verse ConceptsCursing Israel

I refused to respond to Balaam; he kept prophesying good things about you, and I rescued you from his power.

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Verse ConceptsHiringBlessing And CurseCursing Israel

My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of Jehovah.

Verse ConceptsBalaams DonkeyGod, Righteousness OfHistoryPast, TheAnswering PeopleGod Doing RightDoing RightMan's Counsel

Thematic Bible



And Balaam said to Balak, Make me here seven altars and get ready seven oxen and seven male sheep.

So he took him into the country of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and there they made seven altars, offering an ox and a male sheep on every altar

And Balaam said to Balak, Make me seven altars here and get seven oxen and seven male sheep ready for me.


And the ass saw the angel of the Lord and went down on the earth under Balaam; and full of wrath, Balaam gave her hard blows with his stick.


But God was moved to wrath because he went: and the angel of the Lord took up a position in the road to keep him from his purpose. Now he was seated on his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord waiting in the road with his sword in his hand; and turning from the road, the ass went into the field; and Balaam gave the ass blows, to get her back on to the road. Then the angel of the Lord took up his position in a narrow road through the vine-gardens, with a wall on this side and on that. read more.
And the ass saw the angel of the Lord, and went near the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against the wall; and he gave her more blows. Then the angel of the Lord went further, stopping in a narrow place where there was no room for turning to the right or to the left. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord and went down on the earth under Balaam; and full of wrath, Balaam gave her hard blows with his stick. Then the Lord gave the ass the power of talking, and opening her mouth she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you have given me blows these three times? And Balaam said to the ass, You have made me seem foolish: if only I had a sword in my hand I would put you to death. And the ass said to Balaam, Am I not your ass upon which you have gone all your life till this day? and have I ever done this to you before? And he said, No. Then the Lord made Balaam's eyes open, and he saw the angel of the Lord in the way with his sword in his hand: and he went down on his face to the earth. And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you given your ass blows these three times? See, I have come out against you to keep you back, because your purpose is not pleasing to me. And the ass saw me, turning to one side from me three times: if she had not gone to one side, I would certainly have put you to death and kept her safe.


Now Balak, hearing that Balaam had come, went to the chief town of Moab, on the edge of the Arnon, in the farthest part of the land, for the purpose of meeting him.

So in the morning Balaam got up and, making his ass ready, went with the chiefs of Moab.

So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me:

And God said to Balaam, You are not to go with them, or put a curse on this people, for they have my blessing.

They put the kings of Midian to death with the rest, Evi and Reken and Zur and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian: and Balaam, the son of Beor, they put to death with the sword.

It was these who, moved by Balaam, were the cause of Israel's sin against the Lord in the question of Peor, because of which disease came on the people of the Lord.

O my people, keep in mind now what was designed by Balak, king of Moab, and the answer which Balaam, son of Beor, gave him; the events, from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may be certain of the upright acts of the Lord.

Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;


O my people, keep in mind now what was designed by Balak, king of Moab, and the answer which Balaam, son of Beor, gave him; the events, from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may be certain of the upright acts of the Lord.

So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me: Come now, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people, for they are greater than I: and then I may be strong enough to overcome them and send them out of the land: for it is clear that good comes to him who has your blessing, but he on whom you put your curse is cursed. So the responsible men of Moab and Midian went away, taking in their hands rewards for the prophet; and they came to Balaam and said to him what Balak had given them orders to say.

Then Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, went up to war against Israel; and he sent for Balaam, the son of Beor, to put a curse on you:

Because they did not give the children of Israel bread and water when they came to them, but got Balaam to put a curse on them: though the curse was turned into a blessing by our God.


And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him. And moved by the spirit, he said, These are the words of Balaam, son of Beor, the words of the man whose eyes are open: He says, whose ears are open to the words of God, who has seen the vision of the Ruler of all, falling down, but having his eyes open: read more.
How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your houses, O Israel! They are stretched out like valleys, like gardens by the riverside, like flowering trees planted by the Lord, like cedar-trees by the waters. Peoples will be in fear before his strength, his arm will be on great nations: his king will be higher than Agag, and his kingdom made great in honour. It is God who has taken him out of Egypt; his horns are like those of the mountain ox; the nations warring against him will be his food, their bones will be broken, they will be wounded with his arrows. He took his sleep stretched out like a lion, and like a she-lion: by whom will his rest be broken? May a blessing be on everyone who gives you blessing, and a curse on everyone by whom you are cursed.

Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing; But his wrongdoing was pointed out to him: an ass, talking with a man's voice, put a stop to the error of the prophet.


But his wrongdoing was pointed out to him: an ass, talking with a man's voice, put a stop to the error of the prophet.

But God was moved to wrath because he went: and the angel of the Lord took up a position in the road to keep him from his purpose. Now he was seated on his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord waiting in the road with his sword in his hand; and turning from the road, the ass went into the field; and Balaam gave the ass blows, to get her back on to the road. Then the angel of the Lord took up his position in a narrow road through the vine-gardens, with a wall on this side and on that. read more.
And the ass saw the angel of the Lord, and went near the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against the wall; and he gave her more blows. Then the angel of the Lord went further, stopping in a narrow place where there was no room for turning to the right or to the left. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord and went down on the earth under Balaam; and full of wrath, Balaam gave her hard blows with his stick. Then the Lord gave the ass the power of talking, and opening her mouth she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you have given me blows these three times? And Balaam said to the ass, You have made me seem foolish: if only I had a sword in my hand I would put you to death. And the ass said to Balaam, Am I not your ass upon which you have gone all your life till this day? and have I ever done this to you before? And he said, No. Then the Lord made Balaam's eyes open, and he saw the angel of the Lord in the way with his sword in his hand: and he went down on his face to the earth. And the angel of the Lord said to him, Why have you given your ass blows these three times? See, I have come out against you to keep you back, because your purpose is not pleasing to me. And the ass saw me, turning to one side from me three times: if she had not gone to one side, I would certainly have put you to death and kept her safe. And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have done wrong, for I did not see that you were in the way against me: but now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back again. And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men; but say only what I give you to say. Then Balaam went on with the chiefs of Balak.


But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh. And you have those who keep the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

It was these who, moved by Balaam, were the cause of Israel's sin against the Lord in the question of Peor, because of which disease came on the people of the Lord.


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;

A curse on them! They have gone in the way of Cain, running uncontrolled into the error of Balaam for reward, and have come to destruction by saying evil against the Lord, like Korah.


They put the kings of Midian to death with the rest, Evi and Reken and Zur and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian: and Balaam, the son of Beor, they put to death with the sword.

And Balaam, the son of Beor, the prophet, the children of Israel put to death with the sword.


And God said to Balaam, You are not to go with them, or put a curse on this people, for they have my blessing. In the morning Balaam got up and said to the chiefs of Balak, Go back to your land, for the Lord will not let me go with you. So the chiefs of Moab went back to Balak and said, Balaam will not come with us. read more.
So Balak sent more chiefs, greater in number and of higher position than the others. And they came to Balaam and said, Balak, son of Zippor, says, Let nothing keep you from coming to me: For I will give you a place of very great honour, and whatever you say to me I will do; so come, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people. But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God. So take your rest here this night, till I have knowledge what more the Lord has to say to me. And that night God came to Balaam and said to him, If these men have come for you, go with them: but do only what I say to you. So in the morning Balaam got up and, making his ass ready, went with the chiefs of Moab. But God was moved to wrath because he went: and the angel of the Lord took up a position in the road to keep him from his purpose. Now he was seated on his ass, and his two servants were with him.


So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me: Come now, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people, for they are greater than I: and then I may be strong enough to overcome them and send them out of the land: for it is clear that good comes to him who has your blessing, but he on whom you put your curse is cursed.


Then Balak was full of wrath against Balaam, and angrily waving his hands he said to Balaam, I sent for you so that those who are against me might be cursed, but now, see, three times you have given them a blessing.


And the ass saw me, turning to one side from me three times: if she had not gone to one side, I would certainly have put you to death and kept her safe.


It was these who, moved by Balaam, were the cause of Israel's sin against the Lord in the question of Peor, because of which disease came on the people of the Lord.


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;


And Balaam, the son of Beor, the prophet, the children of Israel put to death with the sword.


Because they gave you no bread or water on your way, when you came out of Egypt: and they got Balaam, the son of Peor, from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to put curses on you


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing; But his wrongdoing was pointed out to him: an ass, talking with a man's voice, put a stop to the error of the prophet.

But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God.

And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not send to you, requesting you with all my heart to come to me? why did you not come? am I not able to give you a place of honour? Then Balaam said to Balak, Now I have come to you; but have I power to say anything? Only what God puts into my mouth may I say.

How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?

And in answer he said, Am I not ordered to say only what the Lord puts into my mouth?

Then Balaam said to Balak, Did I not say to the men you sent to me, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to go outside the orders of the Lord, doing good or evil at the impulse of my mind; whatever the Lord says I will say? So now I will go back to my people: but first let me make clear to you what this people will do to your people in days to come.


But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God.

How may I put curses on him who is not cursed by God? how may I be angry with him with whom the Lord is not angry?

And in answer he said, Am I not ordered to say only what the Lord puts into my mouth?

Then Balaam said to Balak, Did I not say to the men you sent to me, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to go outside the orders of the Lord, doing good or evil at the impulse of my mind; whatever the Lord says I will say? So now I will go back to my people: but first let me make clear to you what this people will do to your people in days to come.

Then Balaam said to Balak, Now I have come to you; but have I power to say anything? Only what God puts into my mouth may I say.


And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have done wrong, for I did not see that you were in the way against me: but now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back again.


So Balak sent more chiefs, greater in number and of higher position than the others. And they came to Balaam and said, Balak, son of Zippor, says, Let nothing keep you from coming to me: For I will give you a place of very great honour, and whatever you say to me I will do; so come, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people. read more.
But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God.


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;




And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him.


And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him.


And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him.


But his wrongdoing was pointed out to him: an ass, talking with a man's voice, put a stop to the error of the prophet.


And in answer he said, Am I not ordered to say only what the Lord puts into my mouth?

And the Lord put words in Balaam's mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and this is what you are to say.


So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me:


And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him.


And in answer he said, Am I not ordered to say only what the Lord puts into my mouth?

And the Lord put words in Balaam's mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and this is what you are to say.


So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me:


So he sent men to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor by the River in the land of the children of his people, saying to him, See, a people has come out of Egypt, covering all the face of the earth, and they have put up their tents opposite to me:


And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have done wrong, for I did not see that you were in the way against me: but now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will go back again.


But his wrongdoing was pointed out to him: an ass, talking with a man's voice, put a stop to the error of the prophet.


And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel there, with their tents in the order of their tribes: and the spirit of God came on him.


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;

So Balak sent more chiefs, greater in number and of higher position than the others. And they came to Balaam and said, Balak, son of Zippor, says, Let nothing keep you from coming to me: For I will give you a place of very great honour, and whatever you say to me I will do; so come, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people. read more.
But Balaam, in answer; said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, it would not be possible for me to do anything more or less than the orders of the Lord my God. So take your rest here this night, till I have knowledge what more the Lord has to say to me. And that night God came to Balaam and said to him, If these men have come for you, go with them: but do only what I say to you. So in the morning Balaam got up and, making his ass ready, went with the chiefs of Moab. But God was moved to wrath because he went: and the angel of the Lord took up a position in the road to keep him from his purpose. Now he was seated on his ass, and his two servants were with him.


For I will give you a place of very great honour, and whatever you say to me I will do; so come, in answer to my prayer, and put a curse on this people.


Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;

A curse on them! They have gone in the way of Cain, running uncontrolled into the error of Balaam for reward, and have come to destruction by saying evil against the Lord, like Korah.


References

Hastings

Easton

American

Fausets

Morish

Smith

Watsons

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain