Old Testament

Numbers 22:35

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, the angel of the LORD gives Balaam specific instructions about his journey with Balak's officials.

Author
Traditionally attributed to Moses
Written
Around 1400 BC
Genre
Law (Pentateuch)
Original Audience
The Israelites in the wilderness
CBTClear Bible Translation

The angel of the LORD told Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the words I give you." So Balaam continued on with Balak's officials.

KJVKing James Version

And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, the angel of the LORD gives Balaam specific instructions about his journey with Balak's officials. Although Balaam is permitted to go with them, he is warned to speak only the words that God provides. This emphasizes the importance of obedience to divine guidance. Balaam's role is not to express his own thoughts or desires but to convey God's message accurately. This moment highlights the tension between human desires and divine will, as Balaam had initially been hesitant to go with Balak due to God's earlier command. The angel's directive serves as a reminder that even when we are allowed to proceed with our plans, we must remain faithful to God's instructions and not deviate from His word. Balaam's journey is not just a physical one but also a spiritual test of his loyalty and integrity in delivering God's message.

How to apply Numbers 22:35 to your life

This verse teaches us the importance of listening to God's guidance in our decisions. Even when we are given permission to act, we must ensure that our words and actions align with His will. This encourages us to seek God's direction in all aspects of our lives and to speak truthfully and faithfully.

Curated for this public verse page. Numbers Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Numbers 22:35 mean?

Numbers 22:35 means that the angel of the LORD instructed Balaam to accompany Balak's officials but to only speak the words given to him by God. This highlights the importance of obedience to divine instructions.

What is the significance of Balaam's instructions in Numbers 22:35?

The significance of Balaam's instructions in Numbers 22:35 is that it emphasizes the need for Balaam to communicate only God's message, reflecting the tension between human desires and divine will.

What does the phrase 'speak only the words I give you' mean in Numbers 22:35?

The phrase 'speak only the words I give you' in Numbers 22:35 means that Balaam is to refrain from expressing his own thoughts and instead convey only what God instructs him to say.

How does Numbers 22:35 relate to obedience?

Numbers 22:35 relates to obedience by showing that even when given permission to act, Balaam must remain faithful to God's instructions, highlighting the importance of aligning actions with divine will.

The Book of Numbers
Book Summary

The Book of Numbers

Numbers 1: First Census and Tribal Leaders

The LORD speaks to Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai and orders a count of the men of Israel who are twenty years old and able to go to war. A leader from each tribe stands with them: Elizur for Reuben, Shelumiel for Simeon, Nahshon for Judah, Nethaneel for Issachar, Eliab for Zebulun, Elishama for Ephraim, Gamaliel for Manasseh, Abidan for Benjamin, Ahiezer for Dan, Pagiel for Asher, and Ahira for Naphtali. The totals are recorded by tribe, and the combined number of fighting men is six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty.

Premium

Unlock the full Numbers summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Numbers — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 36 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Numbers summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.