Numbers 22:38

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

““See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.””

What this verse means

A short, plain-language explanation of Numbers 22:38 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.

Compare translations
BSBPD

““See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.””

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

“And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.”

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“And Balaam saith unto Balak, `Lo, I have come unto thee; now--am I at all able to speak anything? the word which God setteth in my mouth--it I do speak.'”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
Open the full comparison
Cross references

Other passages that echo Numbers 22:38 — 14 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. Numbers 22:8“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
  2. Numbers 22:18But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.
  3. Numbers 23:16And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”
  4. Numbers 23:26But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
  5. Numbers 24:13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says.
  6. 1 Kings 22:14But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”
  7. 1 Kings 22:16But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
  8. 2 Chronicles 18:13But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”
  9. Psalms 33:10The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.
  10. Psalms 76:10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
  11. Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
  12. Isaiah 44:25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
  13. Isaiah 46:10I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
  14. Isaiah 47:12So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

Keep exploring