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Numbers 24:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 24:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers that thou sentest unto me, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers that thou sentest unto me, saying,
Numbers 24:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.
10And Balak`s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, Jehovah hath kept thee back from honor.
12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers that thou sentest unto me, saying,
13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what Jehovah speaketh, that will I speak?
14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come, [and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
15And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith;
← Numbers 24:11Numbers 24:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Balaam said unto Balak, etc.] In order to mitigate his wrath, and bring him into a better temper: spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me: those that came to him a second time; for to the first he said nothing of what is after related, but to the last he did much the same as he had afterwards said to Balak himself: saying,”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 22:18, Num 22:38 Numbers 24:14”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“But Balaam reminds him, on the other hand, of the declaration which he made to the messengers at the very outset ( Num 22:18), that he could not on any account speak in opposition to the command of Jehovah, and then adds, "And now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will tell thee advisedly what this people will do to thy people at the end of the days." יעץ, to advise; here it denotes an announcement, which includes advice. The announcement of what Israel would do to the Moabites in the future, contains the advice to Balak, what attitude he should assume towards Israel, if this people was to bring a blessing upon his own people and not a curse. On "the end of the days," see at Gen 49:1.…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification