Numbers 22:20 - Divine permission with conditions.

Numbers 22:20 - במדבר 22:20

Hebrew Text

וַיָּבֹא אֱלֹהִים אֶל־בִּלְעָם לַיְלָה וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אִם־לִקְרֹא לְךָ בָּאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים קוּם לֵךְ אִתָּם וְאַךְ אֶת־הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ אֹתוֹ תַעֲשֶׂה׃

English Translation

And God came to Bil῾am at night, and said to him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but only that word which I shall say to thee, shalt thou do.

Transliteration

Va'yavo Elohim el-Bil'am laila va'yomer lo im-likro lecha ba'u ha'anashim kum lech itam ve'ach et-hadavar asher-adaber eleicha oto ta'aseh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּבֹ֨א אֱלֹהִ֥ים ׀ אֶל־בִּלְעָם֮ לַ֒יְלָה֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אִם־לִקְרֹ֤א לְךָ֙ בָּ֣אוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים ק֖וּם לֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֑ם וְאַ֗ךְ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֛ר אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ אֹת֥וֹ תַעֲשֶֽׂה׃

Parasha Commentary

Divine Communication with Bil'am

The verse describes Hashem appearing to Bil'am at night, instructing him regarding Balak's request to curse Bnei Yisrael. Rashi (Bamidbar 22:20) notes that Hashem's appearance at night emphasizes that this was not a full prophetic experience (which typically occurs in daytime for true prophets), but rather a lower form of divine communication appropriate for Bil'am's spiritual level.

The Conditional Permission

Hashem tells Bil'am: "If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them". The Ramban (Bamidbar 22:20) explains this as a test for Bil'am - Hashem was giving him the opportunity to demonstrate whether he truly sought to do Hashem's will or was eager to curse Israel. The Malbim adds that the phrasing implies Bil'am should only go if summoned properly, not if he initiates the journey himself.

The Limitation on Bil'am's Speech

The concluding phrase "but only that word which I shall say to thee, shalt thou do" establishes a crucial boundary. The Sforno explains that while Bil'am was permitted to go with Balak's men, his prophetic utterances would be entirely controlled by Hashem. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) derives from here that a prophet cannot say anything beyond what Hashem commands, even if given general permission to prophesy.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Balak 5) compares this to a king who gives his son permission to attend a banquet but warns him not to eat forbidden foods - similarly, Hashem allowed Bil'am to go but restricted his speech.
  • Rabbeinu Bachya notes the word "אַךְ" (only) serves to limit Bil'am's actions, teaching that even when given permission for certain actions, there are always divinely imposed boundaries.

Ethical Lessons

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that this episode teaches how Hashem protects Israel even through unlikely means, and how divine providence can use even wicked individuals like Bil'am to ultimately bring blessing. The Netziv adds that the nighttime appearance hints at the morally ambiguous nature of Bil'am's mission - neither fully sanctioned nor fully prohibited.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105a
The verse is discussed in the context of Balaam's prophecy and his interactions with God, highlighting the divine instruction given to Balaam regarding his actions with the men who came to call him.
📖 Nedarim 22a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about vows and divine commandments, illustrating how Balaam was instructed to follow only what God commanded him to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did God tell Bil'am to go with Balak's men if He didn't want him to curse Israel?
A: According to Rashi (Numbers 22:20), God allowed Bil'am to go to teach him that he couldn't act against God's will. Though Bil'am wanted to curse Israel, God would only permit him to say what He commanded. This shows that even wicked people like Bil'am cannot override divine protection over the Jewish people.
Q: What is the significance of God speaking to Bil'am at night?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 7a) explains that God communicates with non-Jewish prophets like Bil'am only at night, when the world is in a state of diminished clarity. This contrasts with the prophets of Israel who could receive prophecy at any time, showing the higher level of divine connection granted to the Jewish people.
Q: Why does the verse say 'if the men come to call you' when they already came?
A: Rashi explains that God was testing Bil'am's intentions. If Bil'am truly wanted to obey God, he would have waited for them to come again rather than eagerly going with them immediately. This teaches that when given permission for something, we shouldn't rush into it if our motives are questionable.
Q: What lesson can we learn from God's instruction to Bil'am?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) teaches that this episode demonstrates how God protects the Jewish people. Even when enemies try to harm us spiritually (through curses) or physically, God can turn their intentions into blessings, as ultimately happened with Bil'am's words.
Q: How does this verse relate to free will in Judaism?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 5:1) explains that while God allowed Bil'am to go, He made clear that Bil'am would only be able to say what God permitted. This shows that humans have free will to choose their path, but God controls the ultimate outcome, especially when it concerns His chosen people.

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