Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Numbers 22:35

Next

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.

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Balaam {H1109}, Go {H3212} with the men {H582}: but only {H657} the word {H1697} that I shall speak {H1696} unto thee, that thou shalt speak {H1696}. So Balaam {H1109} went {H3212} with the princes {H8269} of Balak {H1111}.

But the angel of ADONAI said to Bil'am, "No, go on with the men; but you are to say only what I tell you to say." So Bil'am went along with the princes of Balak.

But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

And the angel of Jehovah 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.

Commentary

Numbers 22:35 marks a pivotal moment in the dramatic encounter between Balaam, the diviner, and the Angel of the LORD. After Balaam's donkey miraculously spoke and his own eyes were opened to the divine messenger blocking his path, this verse confirms God's renewed, albeit conditional, permission for Balaam to proceed to King Balak.

Context

This verse concludes the intense episode where Balaam's journey to curse Israel was divinely obstructed. Initially, God had forbidden Balaam from going with Balak's envoys (Numbers 22:12). However, after further persistence from Balak and Balaam's repeated inquiry, God allowed him to go, but with a strict caveat: "only the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou speak" (Numbers 22:20). The subsequent confrontation with the Angel of the LORD served as a powerful reminder and reinforcement of this divine mandate. Balaam's willingness to go, despite God's initial prohibition and the Angel's warning, highlights his mixed motives—desiring the reward from Balak while ostensibly seeking God's will.

Key Themes

  • Divine Control and Sovereignty: The most prominent theme is God's absolute control over Balaam's words. Despite Balak's intentions to hire Balaam to curse Israel, God ensures that only His message will be delivered. This demonstrates God's ultimate power to protect His people and execute His plans, even through unwilling or morally compromised agents.
  • Conditional Obedience: Balaam is permitted to proceed, but his mission is entirely dictated by God. His will is subservient to the divine will, emphasizing that human actions, especially those with prophetic implications, are ultimately under God's authority.
  • God's Protection of Israel: This incident underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Even a powerful diviner hired by a hostile king cannot utter a curse against those whom God has blessed. This foreshadows Balaam's inability to curse Israel in the subsequent chapters (Numbers 23:8).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: malakh Yahweh) is significant. This figure often appears in the Old Testament as a manifestation of God Himself or a divine messenger acting with God's full authority. In this narrative, the Angel's direct intervention and speech underscore the divine origin and authoritative nature of the command given to Balaam.

Practical Application

Numbers 22:35 offers several timeless lessons:

  • God's Will Prevails: No human scheme or power can ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan. For believers, this offers immense comfort and assurance that God is in control, even amidst opposition.
  • Speaking God's Truth: For those who teach or speak on behalf of God, this verse is a stark reminder of the responsibility to speak "only the word that I shall speak unto thee." It calls for integrity and faithfulness in relaying divine truth, not personal opinions or desires.
  • God Uses Imperfect Instruments: God can use anyone, even those with questionable motives like Balaam, to accomplish His purposes. This highlights His grace and power to work through and despite human imperfections.

The story of Balaam serves as a powerful testament to God's unfailing commitment to His covenant and His absolute control over all circumstances, ultimately turning what was intended for harm into a blessing for His people (Deuteronomy 23:5).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:26 (2 votes)

    Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.

  • Isaiah 37:29 (2 votes)

    Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

  • Numbers 22:20 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Numbers 22:21 (2 votes)

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

  • Psalms 81:12 (2 votes)

    So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (2 votes)

    [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:12 (2 votes)

    That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.