Numbers 23:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} put {H7760} a word {H1697} in Balaam's {H1109} mouth {H6310}, and said {H559}, Return {H7725} unto Balak {H1111}, and thus thou shalt speak {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 23:5 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balaam and Balak, where the sovereign LORD directly intervenes to control the speech of Balaam, a Mesopotamian diviner hired by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel. Despite Balaam's initial intentions and Balak's persistent demands, God supernaturally compels Balaam to speak only the words He dictates, ensuring that His divine will, not human or pagan machinations, will prevail. This verse sets the stage for Balaam's oracles, which, contrary to Balak's desires, pronounce blessings upon Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 23:5 is central to the extensive narrative of Balaam, spanning [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam and Balak"). The preceding chapter, [Numbers 22](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22 - Balaam's Journey and the Talking Donkey"), introduces Balak's fear of the numerous Israelites and his desperate attempt to hire Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse them. Despite God's initial explicit command to Balaam not to go or curse Israel ([Numbers 22:12](/numbers/22-12 "Numbers 22:12 - God's Initial Command to Balaam")), Balaam eventually journeys to Moab. The immediate verses leading up to [Numbers 23:5](/numbers/23-5 "Numbers 23:5 - The LORD Puts a Word in Balaam's Mouth") describe Balaam's elaborate preparations for his first oracle at Balak's request, including building seven altars and offering sacrifices on each ([Numbers 23:1-4](/numbers/23-1 "Numbers 23:1-4 - Balaam's Preparations for the First Oracle")). This verse signifies the crucial moment of divine intervention, where God takes absolute control over Balaam's prophetic utterance, ensuring that the subsequent words are His alone.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold as Israel is on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, having recently defeated the Amorites, causing great alarm among the surrounding nations, particularly Moab. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice for kings to employ diviners or prophets to invoke curses upon their enemies or blessings upon themselves before battle or in times of crisis. Balaam, though not an Israelite, was recognized for his potent ability to bless or curse, suggesting a widespread reputation. The act of building altars and offering sacrifices was a standard ritualistic preparation for seeking divine revelation or influence in the region. This context highlights the clash between pagan practices and the sovereign will of the one true God, who demonstrates His control over all spiritual powers and human agents, even those operating outside His direct covenant.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes woven throughout the Balaam narrative and the book of Numbers. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, illustrating God's absolute authority over all creation, including the hearts and mouths of individuals, even those hostile to His purposes. Balaam, hired to curse, becomes an unwilling instrument of God's blessing, demonstrating that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human will or pagan magic. This leads directly to the theme of the **Irreversibility of God's Blessing** upon His covenant people; what God has blessed, no human or demonic power can curse. The narrative also highlights the **Authenticity and Authority of True Prophecy**, contrasting it sharply with pagan divination. Here, Balaam is not speaking his own thoughts or incantations but precisely what God dictates, emphasizing that God's word is sovereign, unchangeable, and always accomplishes its purpose, a truth Balaam himself later affirms in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **put (Hebrew, _śām'_):** The verb שָׂם (_śām_) means "to put," "to place," or "to set." In this context, it conveys a direct, deliberate, and authoritative action by the LORD. It's not merely an inspiration or a general influence, but a precise placement of words. This emphasizes God's active intervention and control over Balaam's speech, indicating that Balaam became a mere conduit for God's message, stripped of his own agenda or ability to deviate from the divine utterance.
* **word (Hebrew, _dāḇār'_):** The Hebrew noun דָּבָר (_dāḇār_) is rich in meaning, encompassing "word," "matter," "thing," "affair," or "message." Here, it signifies a specific, divinely revealed message, not just a general idea or thought. The use of _dāḇār_ underscores the precision and authority of what God imparts to Balaam. It is a concrete, unalterable divine communication that Balaam is compelled to deliver, highlighting the veracity and power inherent in God's spoken command.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _pî'_):** The Hebrew word פִּי (_pî_), meaning "mouth," emphasizes the direct and physical nature of the divine impartation. God places the _dāḇār_ directly into Balaam's mouth, making Balaam a literal mouthpiece. This imagery reinforces the idea that Balaam's subsequent words are not his own, but God's. It signifies a complete usurpation of Balaam's own will and intention to curse, transforming him into an unwilling prophet who must declare God's unchangeable decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine initiative and absolute control. It highlights God's sovereign power to intervene directly in human affairs and to manipulate even the speech of those who oppose His will. Balaam, a renowned diviner, is rendered powerless to speak anything but what God dictates, demonstrating that no human or spiritual force can thwart the divine purpose.
* **"and said, Return unto Balak":** This is a direct, imperative command from the LORD to Balaam. It signifies that Balaam is not to linger or engage in further rituals to seek a different word, but to immediately convey the divine message to Balak. It underscores Balaam's role as a messenger, bound to deliver the precise instructions he has received, regardless of his personal desires or Balak's expectations.
* **"and thus thou shalt speak":** This final clause emphasizes the complete dictation of the message by God. It removes any ambiguity about Balaam's autonomy in the prophetic utterance. Balaam is not merely given a general idea or permission to speak, but is commanded to deliver the exact words that follow, ensuring the purity and unadulterated nature of God's oracle. This sets the stage for the subsequent blessings that Balaam is compelled to pronounce upon Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Balaam, hired and paid by Balak to curse Israel, is instead compelled by God to bless them. This reversal of expectation underscores God's ultimate control over human intentions. **Divine Intervention** is explicit, with the LORD directly placing the word in Balaam's mouth, showcasing God's active involvement in the unfolding narrative and His ability to override human will. The passage also utilizes **Contrast** between the pagan rituals and the true, sovereign word of God, highlighting the superiority of Yahweh over all other deities and forms of divination. Furthermore, the verse acts as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the series of divine oracles that will follow, all of which will affirm God's blessing on Israel and His unthwartable plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 23:5 powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty, not only over His chosen people but over all creation and even over the wills and words of those who oppose Him. This verse demonstrates that God's purposes are immutable and cannot be frustrated by human machinations, pagan magic, or political maneuvering. It provides profound comfort and assurance that God is actively at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His covenant promises, turning potential curses into blessings for His people. The divine control over Balaam's mouth underscores the authenticity and authority of true prophecy, distinguishing it from human divination; God's word is pure, precise, and effective, always accomplishing what He intends. This foundational truth assures believers that God's plans for their lives, rooted in His steadfast love and faithfulness, are secure, even amidst opposition or seemingly insurmountable challenges.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart is in the Hand of the LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 23:5 offers profound spiritual nourishment, reminding us of God's unyielding sovereignty in a world often perceived as chaotic or beyond divine control. This verse encourages us to trust implicitly in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances appear dire or when adversaries seem to hold the upper hand. Just as God turned Balaam's intended curse into a blessing for Israel, He can transform our trials, opposition, or even the malicious intentions of others into opportunities for His glory and our good. This should instill a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that our God is mighty enough to orchestrate events, even through unexpected or unwilling instruments, to achieve His perfect will. It also challenges us to consider how God might be using seemingly ordinary or even adverse situations to accomplish His divine purposes in our own lives and in the world around us, calling us to discern His hand and align ourselves with His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sovereignty of God, as demonstrated in Numbers 23:5, comfort you in challenging or uncertain situations in your life?**
* **In what ways might God be using unexpected people or circumstances, perhaps even those with mixed motives, to accomplish His will in your life or in the broader world?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to trust God's word and His ultimate plan, even when things seem contrary to your expectations or when opposition arises?**

### FAQ
**Was Balaam a true prophet of God or a pagan diviner?**

Answer: Balaam was a complex and ambiguous figure. While he operated within the cultural context of pagan divination and was initially motivated by financial gain, the narrative clearly portrays him as someone capable of hearing directly from the LORD, the God of Israel. In Numbers 23:5, God directly "put a word in Balaam's mouth," indicating that his prophetic utterances were genuinely from God, even if his personal character and motives were mixed. He was an instrument God chose to use for a specific purpose, despite his own inclinations, highlighting God's ability to work through anyone to accomplish His will.

**What is the significance of God "putting a word" in Balaam's mouth?**

Answer: The phrase "the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth" signifies absolute divine control over the message. It means that Balaam was not speaking his own thoughts, incantations, or even interpretations, but was compelled to deliver God's precise and unadulterated words. This act demonstrates God's supreme power over human will and pagan practices, ensuring that His divine purpose for Israel would be declared, regardless of Balaam's or Balak's intentions. It underscores the truth that God's word is sovereign and always accomplishes what it sets out to do, as later affirmed in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 23:5, with its powerful depiction of God's sovereignty over Balaam, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The control God exercised over Balaam's mouth, turning a curse into a blessing, foreshadows the work of Christ, who definitively reversed the curse of sin and death. Just as Balaam was compelled to speak God's word, Jesus Christ is the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word"), the perfect and final revelation of God to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us From the Curse")), thereby transforming judgment into blessing for all who believe. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's unthwartable plan to bless His people, disarming all spiritual principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), ensuring that no one can curse those whom God has blessed in Him. The divine control over Balaam's speech points to the absolute authority and efficacy of Christ's words and His finished work, through which all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen."

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

Deuteronomy 18:18

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Jeremiah 1:9

Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Isaiah 59:21

As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Isaiah 51:16

And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou [art] my people.

Numbers 23:16

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

Proverbs 16:1

¶ The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:9

¶ A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.