King James Version

What Does Numbers 24:13 Mean?

Numbers 24:13 in the King James Version says “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either g...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?”

Numbers 24:13 · KJV

Context

11

Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

12

And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,

13

If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

14

And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

15

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

Read Numbers 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Balaam's declaration 'what the LORD saith, that will I speak' sounds like prophetic faithfulness, but the narrative reveals this as selective obedience. He spoke only what God forced him to speak in the moment, but his heart remained mercenary. His later counsel to Midian showed he would harm Israel if he could find a method God hadn't explicitly forbidden. This teaches that true obedience encompasses both letter and spirit, both explicit commands and underlying principles. The Pharisees similarly obeyed the letter while violating the spirit (Matthew 23:23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Balaam became a proverbial example of false prophecy motivated by profit. Peter calls his way 'the way of Balaam...who loved the wages of unrighteousness' (2 Peter 2:15). Jude warns of those who 'ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward' (Jude 11). Revelation condemns 'the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel' (Revelation 2:14). Balaam's legacy is cautionary—outward prophetic gift does not equal inward transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we obey the letter of God's law while violating its spirit?
  2. What does it mean to have prophetic gifts without genuine conversion?
  3. How can we avoid selective obedience that technically complies while practically rebelling?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אִם1 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִתֶּן2 of 24

“would give”

H5414

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

לִ֨י3 of 24
H0
בָלָ֜ק4 of 24

“If Balak”

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

מְלֹ֣א5 of 24

“full”

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

בֵיתוֹ֮6 of 24

“me his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כֶּ֣סֶף7 of 24

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָב֒8 of 24

“and gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

לֹ֣א9 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אוּכַ֗ל10 of 24

“I cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לַֽעֲבֹר֙11 of 24

“go beyond”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת12 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פִּ֣י13 of 24

“the commandment”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 24

“but what the LORD”

H3068

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

לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת15 of 24

“to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

טוֹבָ֛ה16 of 24

“either good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

א֥וֹ17 of 24
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

רָעָ֖ה18 of 24

“or bad”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִלִּבִּ֑י19 of 24

“of mine own mind”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֲשֶׁר20 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲדַבֵּֽר׃21 of 24

“saith”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֖ה22 of 24

“but what the LORD”

H3068

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

אֹת֥וֹ23 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲדַבֵּֽר׃24 of 24

“saith”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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 24:13 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 24:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:28Numbers 22:18Numbers 22:20

Test Your Knowledge

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