Numbers 23:16

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

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.

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

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

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

Commentary

Numbers 23:16 describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balaam and Balak, highlighting God's absolute control over events and individuals.

Context

This verse immediately follows Balaam's first attempt to curse Israel at King Balak's behest. Despite Balak's efforts and Balaam's initial intentions, God intervened, causing Balaam to utter a blessing upon Israel instead (Numbers 23:7-10). Frustrated, Balak moved Balaam to a new location—the "field of Zophim, on the top of Pisgah"—hoping a change of scenery would yield a different outcome. Here, Balaam again encounters the LORD, who directly instructs him on what to say.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The most prominent theme is God's unquestionable authority. Even a pagan diviner like Balaam, hired to oppose God's people, cannot speak a word without God's explicit permission and instruction. This demonstrates that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human or demonic schemes.
  • Prophetic Control: The phrase "put a word in his mouth" emphasizes that Balaam is merely a mouthpiece for God. Despite his own desires or Balak's demands, Balaam is compelled to deliver God's message, not his own. This highlights how God empowers and directs His chosen messengers, as seen with prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:9).
  • Unchangeable Purpose: God's purpose for Israel—to bless them and establish them as His chosen people—is immutable. Balaam's inability to curse them, even under pressure, reinforces the truth that God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "וַיָּשֶׂם דָּבָר בְּפִיו" (vayyasem davar b'fiv) literally means "and He put a word in his mouth." This vivid imagery conveys a direct, supernatural impartation of God's message. It signifies divine control over Balaam's speech, ensuring that he would speak only what God intended, regardless of his personal will or the demands of Balak.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful reassurance for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when facing opposition or seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can rest in the knowledge that God is ultimately in control. No plot or person can truly frustrate His divine will concerning His people.
  • God Uses Unexpected Instruments: God can and does use various individuals, even those who do not serve Him, to accomplish His purposes. His work is not dependent on human faithfulness alone.
  • God's Promises Stand: Just as God's blessing on Israel could not be reversed by a curse, His promises to us are steadfast. We can have confidence in His unchanging character and His faithfulness to His word.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 23:5 (3 votes)

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

  • Numbers 22:35 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.