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Numbers 23:26

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 23:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh, that I must do?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh, that I must do?
Numbers 23:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel: Now shalt it be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
24Behold, the people riseth up as a lioness, And as a lion doth he lift himself up: He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, And drink the blood of the slain.
25And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
26But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh, that I must do?
27And Balak said unto Balaam, Come now, I will take thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
28And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert.
29And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
← Numbers 23:25Numbers 23:27 →
← Full Chapter 23 Numbers Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, told not I thee, etc.] He appeals to him for his honesty and faithfulness, for honest and faithful he would be thought to be, both to God and man; that when he first met him, he plainly told him what he must expect: from him: saying, all that the Lord speaketh, that I must do; which was very true, he was obliged to do as he had bid him, and speak what he had said unto him, though it was sore against his will; he would fain both have spoken and done otherwise, if he might have been permitted.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do--a remarkable confession that he was divinely constrained to give utterances different from what it was his purpose and inclination to do.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 23:12, Num 23:13, Num 22:18, Num 22:38, Num 24:12, Num 24:13; Kg1 22:14; Ch2 18:13; Act 4:19, Act 4:20, Act 5:29 Numbers 23:27”
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Related study paths

Read Numbers 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification