KJV ORIGINAL
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
But Balaam answered and said to Balak, 'Didn't I tell you before that whatever the LORD says, that's exactly what I have to do?'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Balaam is reminding King Balak that he can only speak what God tells him to speak, not what the king wants to hear.
📚 Historical Context
King Balak of Moab had hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, but God kept forcing Balaam to bless them instead. This is Balaam's response after delivering his second blessing over Israel, when Balak was frustrated that his hired prophet wouldn't curse his enemies as requested.
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