Numbers 23:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 23:20 mean?

Numbers 23:20 means that Balaam, the speaker, has been given a command to bless Israel, and since God has already blessed them, Balaam cannot take it back or change it. The verse highlights that God's decision to bless cannot be overturned by anyone, not even a prophet.

Balaam is speaking to Balak, the king of Moab, who hired him to curse Israel. Instead, Balaam explains that he must follow what God tells him, and since God has chosen to bless Israel, Balaam has no power to reverse it. This moment shows the limits of human authority when it comes to God's purposes and underscores the certainty of God’s blessing.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 23:20

• "received" (לָקַח, lāqach): This word means to take or receive. Here, it shows that Balaam is acting under direct instruction—he has not chosen to bless on his own, but is carrying out what he was given.
• "bless" / "blessed" (בָּרַךְ, bārach): This word is used both for the command to bless and the statement that God has already blessed. It emphasizes that the blessing is not just a wish, but an effective action from God.
• "reverse" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to turn back or undo. Balaam is saying he cannot undo or take back what God has done, stressing the unchangeable nature of God’s blessing.

Why Numbers 23:20 matters

• Numbers 23:20 clarifies that even a prophet cannot go against God’s word, no matter what others want or pay him to do.
• The verse highlights the security and permanence of God’s blessing, which cannot be undone by human effort or desire.
• This statement is a turning point in the story, showing Balak that his plan to curse Israel is impossible because God’s will stands above all.