Numbers 23:5

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, 'Go back to Balak and speak this to him.'

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיָּ֧שֶׂם יְהוָ֛ה דָּבָ֖ר בְּפִ֣י בִלְעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֛אמֶר שׁ֥וּב אֶל־בָּלָ֖ק וְכֹ֥ה תְדַבֵּֽר׃

Transliteration

wə-yāśem YHWH dābār bə-pî bilʿām wə-yōʾmer šûb ʾel-bālāq wə-kōh tədabbēr

Grammar Details

• *wə-yāśem*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he put
• *YHWH*: proper noun - Yahweh
• *dābār*: common noun, masculine singular - word
• *bə-pî*: preposition + common noun, masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix - in mouth of
• *bilʿām*: proper noun, masculine singular - Balaam
• *wə-yōʾmer*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he said
• *šûb*: qal imperative, masculine singular - return
• *ʾel*: preposition - to/toward
• *bālāq*: proper noun, masculine singular - Balak
• *wə-kōh*: waw conjunction + adverb - and thus
• *tədabbēr*: piel imperfect, 2nd masculine singular - you shall speak

Word Meanings

• *yāśem*: put/placed/established
• *dābār*: word/speech/thing
• *pî*: mouth/speech/command
• *šûb*: return/go back/turn back
• *kōh*: thus/so/in this manner
• *tədabbēr*: you shall speak/you shall say

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Jehovah{H3068} put{H7760} a word{H1697} in Balaam's{H1109} mouth,{H6310} and said,{H559} Return{H7725} unto Balak,{H1111} and thus thou shalt speak.{H1696}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And the LORD{H3068} put{H7760}{(H8799)} a word{H1697} in Balaam's{H1109} mouth{H6310}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Return{H7725}{(H8798)} unto Balak{H1111}, and thus thou shalt speak{H1696}{(H8762)}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And ye Lorde put a sayenge in Balas mouth and sayed: goo agayne to Balac and saye on this wyse.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  The LORDE put ye worde in Balaams mouth, and sayde: Go agayne vnto Balac, and saye on this wise.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And the Lord put an answere in Balaams mouth, and sayde, Go againe to Balak, and say on this wise.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And the Lorde put a saying in Balaams mouth, and sayde: Go agayne to Balac, and say on this wyse.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Yahweh put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and Jehovah putteth a word in the mouth of Balaam, and saith, `Turn back unto Balak, and thus thou dost speak.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And Jehovah put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And Jehovah put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And the Lord put words in Balaam's mouth, and said, Go back to Balak, and this is what you are to say.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Yahweh put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth and said,“Return to Balak, and speak what I tell you.”

Referenced Verses

• Deut 18:18 : 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
• Jer 1:9 : 9 Then the LORD reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 'Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.'
• Isa 51:16 : 16 I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to lay the foundations of the earth, and to say to Zion, 'You are My people.'
• Isa 59:21 : 21 As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says the LORD. My Spirit, who is upon you, and My words, that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouths of your children or your children's children, from now on and forever, says the LORD.
• Num 23:16 : 16 The LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, 'Return to Balak and speak these words.'
• Luke 12:12 : 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.
• John 11:51 : 51 He did not say this on his own; but as high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation.
• Prov 16:1 : 1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
• Prov 16:9 : 9 The heart of a person plans their way, but the Lord establishes their steps.
• Num 22:20 : 20 That night God came to Balaam and said, 'Since these men have come to summon you, go with them. But do only what I tell you.'
• Num 22:35 : 35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, 'Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.' So Balaam went with Balak's officials.