Numbers 22:13
New International Version
The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

New Living Translation
The next morning Balaam got up and told Balak’s officials, “Go on home! The LORD will not let me go with you.”

English Standard Version
So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

Berean Standard Bible
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

King James Bible
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

New King James Version
So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you.”

New American Standard Bible
So Balaam got up in the morning and said to Balak’s representatives, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

NASB 1995
So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

NASB 1977
So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for Yahweh has refused to allow me to go with you.”

Amplified Bible
Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the leaders of Balak, “Go back to your own land [of Moab], for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

Christian Standard Bible
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

American Standard Version
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land; for Jehovah refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

Contemporary English Version
The next morning, Balaam said to Balak's officials, "Go on back home. The LORD says I cannot go with you."

English Revised Version
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Balaam got up in the morning, he said to Balak's princes, "Go back to your own country, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

Good News Translation
The next morning Balaam went to Balak's messengers and said, "Go back home; the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

International Standard Version
So Balaam got up the next morning and told Balak's officials, "Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused me permission to go with you."

Majority Standard Bible
So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

NET Bible
So Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to your land, for the LORD has refused to permit me to go with you."

New Heart English Bible
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to your lord; for God refuses to permit me to go with you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Balaam rose in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Depart into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

World English Bible
Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Balaam rises in the morning and says to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land, for YHWH is refusing to permit me to go with you”;

Young's Literal Translation
And Balaam riseth in the morning, and saith unto the princes of Balak, 'Go unto your land, for Jehovah is refusing to suffer me to go with you;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Balaam will rise in the morning and will say to the leaders of Balak, Go to your land: for Jehovah refused to give me to go with you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he rose in the morning and said to the princes: Go into your country, because the Lord hath forbid me to come with you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he, rising up in the morning, said to the leaders, “Go into your own land, for the Lord has prohibited me from going with you.”

New American Bible
The next morning Balaam arose and told the princes of Balak, “Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

New Revised Standard Version
So Balaam rose in the morning, and said to the officials of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, Go to your land; for the LORD refuses to permit me to go with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Balaam arose at dawn and said to the Princes of Balaam: “Go to your land, because LORD JEHOVAH does not want to let me go with you.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak: 'Get you into your land; for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balac, Depart quickly to your lord; God does not permit me to go with you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Balak Summons Balaam
12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.” 13So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.” 14And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 23:4-5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Nehemiah 13:2
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

Micah 6:5
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

2 Peter 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. / But he was rebuked for his transgression by a donkey, otherwise without speech, that spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Numbers 23:11-12
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!” / But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

Numbers 24:10-13
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. / Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.” / Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me ...

Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 31:24
But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Exodus 4:21
The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

1 Samuel 15:22-23
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. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

1 Kings 13:8-10
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.’” / So the man of God went another way and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

2 Kings 1:3-4
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed.


Treasury of Scripture

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuses to give me leave to go with you.

for the Lord

Numbers 22:14
And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

Deuteronomy 23:5
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

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Balak Balak's Chiefs Country Depart Leave Morning Princes Refused Refuses Refuseth Refusing Riseth Rose Suffer
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Balak Balak's Chiefs Country Depart Leave Morning Princes Refused Refuses Refuseth Refusing Riseth Rose Suffer
Numbers 22
1. Balak's first message for Balaam is refused
15. His second message obtains him
22. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his donkey
36. Balak entertains him














So Balaam got up the next morning
This phrase indicates Balaam's immediate response to the divine message he received. The Hebrew root for "got up" is קוּם (qum), which often signifies rising with purpose or intention. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, mornings were significant for new beginnings and decisions. Balaam's early rise suggests a readiness to act upon God's directive, highlighting the importance of obedience and promptness in responding to God's will.

and said to Balak’s princes
The term "princes" here is translated from the Hebrew word שָׂרִים (sarim), which refers to officials or leaders of high rank. This indicates the importance of the mission Balak had entrusted to these men. Balaam's communication with them underscores the gravity of the situation and the respect he shows to their status, even as he delivers a message they do not wish to hear. It reflects the tension between human authority and divine command.

Go back to your own country
Balaam's directive to the princes to return home is a clear and decisive action. The phrase "your own country" emphasizes the separation between the Moabites and the Israelites, and the distinct plans God has for each nation. This command also reflects the boundaries God sets, both geographically and spiritually, for His people and those outside His covenant.

for the LORD has refused
The use of "the LORD" here is significant, as it translates the Hebrew name יְהוָה (YHWH), the covenant name of God. This highlights the personal and relational aspect of God's interaction with Balaam. The word "refused" comes from the Hebrew מָאֵן (ma'en), indicating a strong, deliberate denial. It underscores God's sovereign will and His authority over human plans, reminding us that His purposes cannot be thwarted.

to let me go with you
This phrase reveals Balaam's acknowledgment of God's control over his actions. The Hebrew verb הָלַךְ (halak), meaning "to go," is often used in the context of walking in a path or way. Balaam's statement shows his recognition that his path is directed by God, not by human desires or pressures. It serves as a reminder of the necessity for believers to seek and submit to God's guidance in their lives, trusting in His wisdom and timing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Balaam
בִּלְעָם֙ (bil·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet

got up
וַיָּ֤קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

the next morning
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

and said
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Balak’s
בָלָ֔ק (ḇā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

princes,
שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

“Go back
לְכ֖וּ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to
אֶֽל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your homeland,
אַרְצְכֶ֑ם (’ar·ṣə·ḵem)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

because
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has refused
מֵאֵ֣ן (mê·’ên)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3985: To refuse

to let
לְתִתִּ֖י (lə·ṯit·tî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me go
לַהֲלֹ֥ךְ (la·hă·lōḵ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with you.”
עִמָּכֶֽם׃ (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT Law: Numbers 22:13 Balaam rose up in the morning (Nu Num.)
Numbers 22:12
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