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.

NUMBERS 22:38KJV
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Numbers 22:38 (KJV)

What does Numbers 22:38 mean?

Numbers 22:38 shows Balaam telling Balak that he has no power to speak anything on his own; he can only say what God puts in his mouth. Balaam makes it clear that his words will be limited to the message God gives him, not what Balak might want to hear.

Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, has just arrived after being summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, who wants him to curse Israel. In this verse, Balaam sets expectations by stating that he cannot go beyond God's instructions. The verse highlights Balaam's role as a messenger who is bound to deliver only what God commands, even in the presence of a powerful king.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 22:38

  • "Power" (יָכֹל, yakhol) means to be able or to have the ability. Balaam uses this word to stress that he has no independent authority to speak; his ability is entirely dependent on God.
  • "Word" (דָּבָר, davar) refers to the specific message or command. Balaam emphasizes that only the exact message God gives him will be spoken, not his own thoughts or Balak’s wishes.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) is the general Hebrew word for God, used here to show that Balaam recognizes the authority of Israel’s God over his own prophetic speech.
  • "Put" (שִׂים, sim) means to set or place. Balaam is saying that only what God places in his mouth—that is, what God directly gives him to say—will be spoken.

Why Numbers 22:38 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Balaam could be bribed or pressured by Balak to curse Israel; Balaam’s words are not for sale and are not under his own control.
  • Numbers 22:38 sets the tone for the following chapters, where Balaam repeatedly blesses Israel instead of cursing them, despite Balak’s wishes.
  • The verse highlights a key biblical theme: true prophecy is not controlled by human desire or authority, but by God’s will alone.

Where else these words appear

“thing” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:5 And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.
  • 1 Kings 10:21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

“Balak” Hebrew H1111 · used in 40 verses

  • Numbers 22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
  • Numbers 22:40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
  • Numbers 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.

“Balaam” Hebrew H1109 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
  • Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
  • Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.