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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 24:12 Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/24-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/04_Num_24_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 24:12 - Balak Dismisses Balaam" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Balaam answered Balak, Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/24-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/24-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/24.htm">Chapter 24</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/24-11.htm" title="Numbers 24:11">◄</a> Numbers 24:12 <a href="/numbers/24-13.htm" title="Numbers 24:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/24.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Balaam answered Balak, &#8220Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Balaam told Balak, “Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not in fact tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Balaam said to Balak, &#8220Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I previously tell the messengers you sent me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered Balak, &#8220Didn&#8217t I previously tell the messengers you sent me: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers that thou sentest unto me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Balaam answered, "I told your messengers <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Balaam answered Balak, "I told the messengers you sent me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Balaam answered, "I told the messengers you sent to me that <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Balaam replied to Balak, "I told your messengers, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Balaam answered Balak, ?Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balak, Did I not speak also to thy messengers whom thou sentest to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam says to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you have sent to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Balaam saith unto Balak, 'Did I not also unto thy messengers whom thou hast sent unto me, speak, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam will say to Balak, Also to thy messengers which thou sentest to me, spake I not, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Balaam made answer to Balac: Did I not say to thy messengers, whom thou sentest to me: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Balaam responded to Balak: “Did I not say to your messengers, whom you sent to me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not even tell the messengers whom you sent to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not say to your messengers whom you sent to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Balaam answered and said to Balaq: “Behold, I said also to your Messengers whom you sent to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Spoke I not also to thy messengers that thou didst send unto me, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Balaam said to Balac, Did I not speak to thy messengers also whom thou sentest to me, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/24-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=7598" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/24.htm">Balak Dismisses Balaam</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: bil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">answered</a> <a href="/hebrew/1111.htm" title="1111: bā·lāq (N-proper-ms) -- Devastator, a Moabite king. From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king.">Balak,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Did I not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">already</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·bar·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: mal·’ā·ḵe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">the messengers</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šā·laḥ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">you sent me</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-18.htm">Numbers 22:18</a></span><br />But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-12.htm">Numbers 23:12</a></span><br />But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-38.htm">Numbers 22:38</a></span><br />“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-26.htm">Numbers 23:26</a></span><br />But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-20.htm">Numbers 22:20</a></span><br />That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-35.htm">Numbers 22:35</a></span><br />But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-3.htm">Numbers 23:3</a></span><br />“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-5.htm">Numbers 23:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-16.htm">Numbers 23:16</a></span><br />And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-12.htm">Numbers 22:12</a></span><br />But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18-19</a></span><br />I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/13-8.htm">1 Kings 13:8-9</a></span><br />But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. / For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Jeremiah 1:7</a></span><br />But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-7.htm">Ezekiel 2:7</a></span><br />But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Balaam said to Balak, Spoke I not also to your messengers which you sent to me, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Balak</a> <a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/numbers/13-27.htm">Sentest</a> <a href="/numbers/23-26.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/24-13.htm">Balak</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-26.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-8.htm">Sentest</a> <a href="/numbers/24-13.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Balak, in anger, dismisses him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/24-15.htm">He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/24.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Balaam answered Balak</b><br>Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure in the biblical narrative. His interactions with Balak, the king of Moab, highlight the tension between divine will and human ambition. Balak sought Balaam's services to curse Israel, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern belief in the power of spoken blessings and curses. Balaam's response to Balak underscores the sovereignty of God over human intentions. This interaction takes place in the plains of Moab, a region east of the Jordan River, which was a strategic location for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.<p><b>“Did I not already tell the messengers</b><br>Balaam's reference to the messengers emphasizes the importance of communication and the transmission of divine messages. In the ancient world, messengers played a crucial role in diplomacy and the conveyance of important information. Balaam's insistence on having already communicated God's message to Balak's envoys highlights his role as a conduit for divine revelation. This also reflects the biblical theme of God's unchanging word, as seen in other scriptures where God's messages are consistent and reliable.<p><b>you sent me”</b><br>The act of sending messengers indicates Balak's desperation and determination to secure a curse against Israel. This reflects the historical context of the Moabites' fear of the Israelites, who were perceived as a significant threat due to their numbers and recent victories. The sending of messengers also illustrates the hierarchical nature of ancient societies, where kings and leaders would employ intermediaries to negotiate and communicate on their behalf. Balaam's reminder to Balak about the message he received underscores the futility of opposing God's will, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak to curse Israel. Despite his intentions, God used him to bless Israel instead.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak.htm">Balak</a></b><br>The king of Moab who feared the Israelites and sought to curse them through Balaam, hoping to weaken them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, was threatened by the presence of the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/messengers.htm">Messengers</a></b><br>Representatives sent by Balak to Balaam to persuade him to curse Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, journeying to the Promised Land, whom Balak feared due to their growing numbers and strength.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God's plans cannot be thwarted by human intentions. Despite Balak's efforts, God used Balaam to bless Israel, demonstrating His ultimate control over all situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_word.htm">Faithfulness to God's Word</a></b><br>Balaam's response to Balak's messengers reminds us of the importance of adhering to God's instructions, even when faced with pressure or temptation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_greed.htm">The Danger of Greed</a></b><br>Balaam's account serves as a warning against the love of money and the temptation to compromise one's integrity for material gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection_over_his_people.htm">God's Protection Over His People</a></b><br>The account illustrates God's unwavering protection over His chosen people, reassuring believers of His faithfulness and care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_blessing.htm">The Power of Blessing</a></b><br>The transformation of a curse into a blessing highlights the power of God's word and the importance of speaking blessings over others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_doctrine_of_balaam.htm">What is the Doctrine of Balaam?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_saul_counted_among_the_prophets.htm">Is Saul counted among the prophets?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_balaam's_differing_portrayals.htm">How should we address the seeming discrepancy between Balaam’s portrayal here in Numbers 24 and other biblical texts that condemn him (e.g., 2 Peter 2:15)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_balaam's_seven_altars.htm">Numbers 23:1-2: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting Balaam's elaborate sacrifices on seven altars with seven bulls and seven rams?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Spake I not also.</span> This was altogether true. Balaam had enough of the true prophet about him not only to act with strict fidelity, as far as the letter of the command went, but also to behave with great dignity towards Balak. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/24-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(bil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Balak,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּלָ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(bā·lāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1111.htm">Strong's 1111: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Did I not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלֹ֗א</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">already</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּ֧ם</span> <span class="translit">(gam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tell</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(dib·bar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the messengers</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְאָכֶ֛יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mal·’ā·ḵe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you sent me</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁלַ֥חְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·laḥ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/24-12.htm">Numbers 24:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/24-12.htm">OT Law: Numbers 24:12 Balaam said to Balak Didn't I also (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/24-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 24:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/24-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 24:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 24:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>