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Numbers 23:26 - Divine will overrides human plans

Numbers 23:26 - במדבר 23:26

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעַן בִּלְעָם וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־בָּלָק הֲלֹא דִּבַּרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ לֵאמֹר כֹּל אֲשֶׁר־יְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֹתוֹ אֶעֱשֶׂה׃

English Translation

But Bil῾am answered and said to Balaq, Did not I tell thee, saying, All that the Lord speaks, that I must do?

Transliteration

Va'ya'an Bil'am va'yomer el-Balak halo dibarti eleicha lemor kol asher-yedaber Adonai oto e'eseh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֣עַן בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֶל־בָּלָ֑ק הֲלֹ֗א דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֹת֥וֹ אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃
וַיַּ֣עַן בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֶל־בָּלָ֑ק הֲלֹ֗א דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֹת֥וֹ אֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Bil'am's Declaration of Divine Obedience

The verse (Bamidbar 23:12) records Bil'am's response to Balak, emphasizing his commitment to only speak the words that Hashem places in his mouth. This declaration reflects a complex tension in Bil'am's character—while he was a prophet with access to divine communication, his intentions were not pure (Sanhedrin 105b).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi notes that Bil'am's statement, "All that Hashem speaks, that I must do", demonstrates his recognition of divine authority despite his personal desire to curse Israel. Rashi highlights that Bil'am was compelled to bless Bnei Yisrael against his will, as his prophecy was entirely controlled by Hashem (Rashi on Bamidbar 23:12).

Rambam's Perspective on Prophecy

Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:7) discusses how true prophecy cannot be falsified or manipulated. Bil'am, though a non-Jewish prophet, was bound by this principle—once Hashem dictated the words, he had no choice but to deliver them accurately, regardless of Balak's expectations.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12) contrasts Bil'am's reluctant obedience with Avraham Avinu's wholehearted devotion. While Avraham acted out of love, Bil'am acted out of coercion.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma Balak 10) suggests Bil'am's statement was an admission of his powerlessness—he could not override divine will, despite his reputation as a master of curses.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Makos 10b) derives from this verse that a prophet who withholds a divine message violates a prohibition. Bil'am, despite his flawed character, serves as an example of the irrevocable obligation to transmit Hashem's words truthfully.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about Balaam's prophecy and his interactions with Balak, illustrating Balaam's acknowledgment of God's authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 23:26 mean?
A: Numbers 23:26 records Bil'am's response to Balak, emphasizing that he can only speak and act according to what Hashem commands him. This shows that even a non-Jewish prophet like Bil'am was bound by Divine will, reinforcing the idea that no one can override G-d's word (Rashi on Numbers 23:26).
Q: Why is Bil'am's statement in Numbers 23:26 important?
A: Bil'am's declaration highlights the principle that true prophecy must align with G-d's will. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a) teaches that a prophet who contradicts Torah law is false, and Bil'am—despite his flaws—acknowledges this truth by submitting to Hashem's command.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 23:26?
A: The verse teaches humility and obedience to G-d's will. Even Bil'am, who initially sought to curse Israel, recognized that he could only do what Hashem permitted. This reminds us to align our actions with Divine guidance (Rambam, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 7:7).
Q: How does Numbers 23:26 apply to us today?
A: Just as Bil'am acknowledged that he could not act against G-d's word, we must strive to follow Torah teachings in our daily lives. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:20) explains that this incident demonstrates G-d's protection of Israel, reinforcing our trust in His providence.
Q: Why did Bil'am repeat that he would only do what G-d said?
A: Bil'am reiterated his submission to Hashem's will to emphasize that Balak's attempts to curse Israel were futile. Rashi (Numbers 23:26) notes that Bil'am was reminding Balak that his own desires were irrelevant—only G-d's decree would prevail.