Numbers 23:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} met {H7136} Balaam {H1109}, and put {H7760} a word {H1697} in his mouth {H6310}, and said {H559}, Go again {H7725} unto Balak {H1111}, and say {H1696} thus.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI met Bil'am, put a word in his mouth and said, "Go on back to Balak, and speak as I tell you."

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus shalt thou speak.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:16 records a crucial encounter between the LORD and Balaam, where God sovereignly intervenes to place His specific words into Balaam's mouth. This moment underscores God's absolute control over all creation, including the speech of even a pagan diviner, ensuring that His divine will and unchangeable purpose for Israel's blessing are realized despite human or demonic opposition. It sets the stage for Balaam's second oracle, which, like the first, will unexpectedly pronounce a blessing rather than a curse upon the Israelites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Balaam's initial attempt to curse Israel from the heights of Bamoth-baal, which resulted in an unexpected blessing (Numbers 23:7-10). King Balak, frustrated but undeterred, moves Balaam to a new vantage point, "the field of Zophim, on the top of Pisgah" (Numbers 23:14), hoping a change of scenery or perspective might alter the divine decree. Balaam then instructs Balak to build seven altars and offer sacrifices again, mirroring the previous ritual (Numbers 23:14-15). It is after these preparations that Balaam withdraws to meet the LORD, setting the stage for the direct divine intervention described in Numbers 23:16, which directly precedes his second powerful oracle of blessing. The narrative consistently highlights the futility of human attempts to thwart God's will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, as Israel is poised to enter the Promised Land. Balak, the king of Moab, fears the vast Israelite horde and employs Balaam, a renowned diviner from Pethor near the Euphrates (Numbers 22:5), to curse them. In the ancient Near East, curses and blessings were believed to possess real power, often invoked by professional diviners or prophets. Kings frequently hired such figures to secure victory or avert disaster. Balaam's reputation was such that "he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed" (Numbers 22:6). This cultural belief in the efficacy of curses makes God's direct control over Balaam's speech even more striking, demonstrating His supremacy over all spiritual powers and human intentions.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing God's absolute control over all events and individuals, even those seemingly opposed to His will. Balaam, despite his pagan background and Balak's demands, is merely an instrument in God's hands, unable to speak anything but God's word. This reinforces the idea that God's plans for His people cannot be thwarted (compare [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God's Unchanging Purpose")). Another key theme is **Prophetic Control and Inspiration**, illustrating how God directly imparts His message to His chosen (or even unwilling) messengers, as seen later with prophets like Jeremiah, where God declares, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth" ([Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - God's Call to Jeremiah")). This divine dictation ensures the purity and accuracy of the message, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel, which are immutable, as explicitly stated in Balaam's subsequent oracle: "[God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God's Immutability")."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Met (Hebrew, _wayyiqqār'_):** This verb, often translated "met" or "encountered," carries the nuance of a divine appointment or a deliberate encounter, rather than a casual meeting. It suggests that God purposefully sought out Balaam at this specific moment to intervene. This is not a chance happening but a precise divine orchestration, emphasizing God's active engagement in the narrative.
* **Put (Hebrew, _wayyāśem'_):** This verb means "to place," "to put," or "to set." In this context, "put a word in his mouth" (וַיָּשֶׂם דָּבָר בְּפִיו, _wayyāśem dāḇār bᵉp̱îw_) is a powerful idiom signifying direct, supernatural impartation. It illustrates that Balaam's speech is not his own, nor is it subject to Balak's influence or Balaam's own desires, but is entirely controlled by God. This phrase highlights the divine origin and authority of the message Balaam is about to deliver.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD met Balaam":** This phrase establishes the direct, personal, and intentional encounter between the sovereign God of Israel and the pagan diviner. It signifies God's initiative in controlling the situation, demonstrating that Balaam's actions are not independent but are subject to divine oversight. This meeting is not accidental but part of God's overarching plan to protect and bless Israel.
* **"and put a word in his mouth":** This is the pivotal action of the verse, emphasizing God's complete control over Balaam's prophetic utterance. It signifies divine inspiration and dictation, ensuring that Balaam would speak only what God intended. This act renders Balaam a mere conduit for God's message, stripping him of any personal agency in the pronouncement and highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over human speech and intentions.
* **"and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus":** This is God's direct command to Balaam. It instructs him to return to Balak and deliver the divinely inspired message. The phrase "say thus" indicates that Balaam is to deliver the message verbatim, without alteration or personal interpretation. This command reinforces Balaam's role as a mouthpiece and underscores the certainty and authority of the upcoming oracle, which will once again be a blessing for Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 23:16 is **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described in human terms, "putting a word in his mouth." This vivid imagery conveys a direct, physical act of impartation, making God's intervention tangible and immediate. It is a powerful way to communicate divine control over human speech. Additionally, there is strong **Foreshadowing** in this verse, as it explicitly states that Balaam will "say thus," preparing the reader for the content of the upcoming oracle. The repeated pattern of Balaam going to meet the LORD and then returning to deliver a message also functions as a **Structural Parallelism** within the narrative, mirroring the events of Numbers 23:3-5 and reinforcing the theme of God's consistent and unchangeable will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:16 is a profound declaration of God's unyielding sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It demonstrates that no human scheme, no pagan ritual, and no demonic power can thwart the divine will. God's direct intervention in Balaam's speech underscores His absolute control over all things, even the words of those who are not His faithful servants. This incident serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, particularly concerning His chosen people. His word is not merely a suggestion but a decree that will inevitably come to pass.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine encounter in Numbers 23:16 offers immense comfort and challenge to believers today. It assures us that God's purposes for His people are unchangeable and cannot be thwarted by any opposition, visible or invisible. In a world often filled with uncertainty, fear, and hostile forces, this verse reminds us that our ultimate security rests not in human strength or political maneuvering, but in the unshakeable sovereignty of God. We can trust that even when circumstances seem dire, God is actively at work, orchestrating events, and even using unexpected instruments to accomplish His good and perfect will. This should inspire us to live with greater confidence, knowing that the God who put a word in Balaam's mouth is the same God who guides our steps and upholds His promises to us. It also challenges us to consider if we are truly listening for and speaking God's words, or if we allow our own desires or the pressures of the world to dictate our message.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sovereignty of God over Balaam's speech encourage you when facing opposition or uncertainty in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using unexpected people or circumstances in your life to accomplish His purposes?**
* **How can you ensure that your words and actions are aligned with God's will, rather than being swayed by external pressures?**

### FAQ

**Why did God use a pagan diviner like Balaam to bless Israel instead of a faithful prophet?**

Answer: God's decision to use Balaam highlights His absolute sovereignty and His ability to accomplish His purposes through any means He chooses, even through an unwilling or morally compromised individual. It demonstrates that God's power is not limited by human faithfulness or spiritual alignment. By forcing a pagan diviner, known for his ability to curse, to bless Israel, God powerfully underscored that His blessing on Israel was immutable and could not be reversed by any human or demonic power. This also served as a public declaration to Balak and the surrounding nations that the God of Israel was supreme over all other gods and spiritual forces, as seen in Balaam's later confession, "[I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God to do less or more](/numbers/22-18 "Numbers 22:18 - Balaam's Constraint")."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 23:16, with its profound emphasis on God's sovereign control over speech and destiny, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Balaam, an unwilling prophet, was compelled to speak God's blessing upon Israel, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect, and willing Prophet—Jesus—through whom all of God's blessings are poured out. Just as God put a word in Balaam's mouth, so too was Jesus the very "Word" (Logos) of God made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), perfectly embodying and articulating the Father's will. Balaam's inability to curse Israel points to Christ, who, by His sacrifice, became a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")) so that we might receive the blessing of Abraham. The divine control over Balaam's words anticipates the perfect revelation of God's character and plan in Christ, who always spoke what the Father commanded ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). Ultimately, the unchangeable blessing pronounced through Balaam finds its eternal "Yes" and "Amen" in Jesus, through whom all of God's promises are fulfilled for those who believe ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 23:5

And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

Numbers 22:35

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.

Numbers 24:1

¶ 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.