King James Version

What Does Numbers 22:13 Mean?

Numbers 22:13 in the King James Version says “And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 22:13 · KJV

Context

11

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. I shall: Heb. I shall prevail in fighting against him

12

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

13

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.

14

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

15

And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

Read Numbers 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave—Balaam initially obeyed God's prohibition (v. 12). The Hebrew מֵאֵן (mē'ēn, "refuseth") is emphatic: Yahweh absolutely denied permission. Yet Balaam's wording is telling: he told Balak's princes "the LORD refuseth," not "I refuse" or "God forbids this sin." His passive construction reveals divided loyalty—technically obedient while leaving the door open for negotiation.

Ancient Near Eastern prophets were often hired for divination or curses, making Balaam's profession lucrative but spiritually compromised. His reluctance to definitively reject Balak foreshadows his eventual capitulation when the offer increases.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the 13th century BC, professional diviners like Balaam were common throughout Mesopotamia and the Levant. Kings regularly employed them for blessing armies or cursing enemies. Balaam's international reputation (he lived in Pethor near the Euphrates, ~400 miles from Moab) indicates he was considered exceptionally powerful.

Reflection Questions

  1. When you technically obey God while leaving room for future compromise, what does that reveal about your heart?
  2. How does framing God's clear "no" as merely His current position (rather than absolute truth) open you to temptation?
  3. What professional or financial opportunities tempt you to negotiate with God's clear commands?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּ֤קָם1 of 16

“rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

בִּלְעָם֙2 of 16

“And Balaam”

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

בַּבֹּ֔קֶר3 of 16

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙4 of 16

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל5 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׂרֵ֣י6 of 16

“unto the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

בָלָ֔ק7 of 16

“of Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

לַֽהֲלֹ֥ךְ8 of 16

“to go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶֽל9 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַרְצְכֶ֑ם10 of 16

“you into your land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּ֚י11 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֵאֵ֣ן12 of 16

“refuseth”

H3985

to refuse

יְהוָ֔ה13 of 16

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְתִתִּ֖י14 of 16

“to give me leave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַֽהֲלֹ֥ךְ15 of 16

“to go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִמָּכֶֽם׃16 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 22:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 22:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 22:14Deuteronomy 23:5

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