Numbers 22:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:20 mean?

Numbers 22:20 describes God speaking to Balaam at night, telling him that if the men come to call him, he may go with them, but he must only do what God tells him to say. The verse shows God allowing Balaam to go, but placing a clear limit on his actions.

In this scene, God (speaking directly) addresses Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who has been asked by Moabite officials to curse Israel. The instruction is conditional—Balaam is only to go if the men call him, and even then, he is strictly bound to speak only the words God gives him. This highlights the tension between Balaam’s desires, the requests of the Moabite leaders, and God’s control over the situation.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:20

• The word for "God" is אֱלֹהִים (’elohim), which is a general term for God or gods, but here it clearly refers to the God of Israel, emphasizing His authority over Balaam.
• The verb for "came" is בּוֹא (bo), which often means to enter or arrive; it shows God’s active approach to Balaam, not just a distant command.
• The word for "word" is דָּבָר (davar), meaning a message or matter; God’s instruction is not just a suggestion but a binding message Balaam must obey.
• The verb for "do" is עָשָׂה (asah), which means to act or accomplish; Balaam is told to act only according to what God says, underlining complete obedience.

Why Numbers 22:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that Balaam’s permission to go is not blanket approval—he is under strict orders to say only what God commands, which sets up the tension in the following story.
• The verse shows God’s sovereignty, even over non-Israelite prophets and foreign plans, making it clear that God’s will cannot be manipulated by human schemes.
• Understanding this verse helps explain why, later in the story, God becomes angry when Balaam goes—because Balaam’s motives and actions are under scrutiny, and God’s instructions are precise.