Numbers 23:20

NETBible

Indeed, I have received a command 1  to bless; he has blessed, 2  and I cannot reverse it. 3 

NIV ©

I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

NASB ©

"Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it.

NLT ©

I received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!

MSG ©

I was brought here to bless; and now he's blessed--how can I change that?

BBE ©

See, I have had orders to give blessing: and he has given a blessing which I have no power to take away.

NRSV ©

See, I received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.

NKJV ©

Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

KJV
Behold, I have received
<03947> (8804)
[commandment] to bless
<01288> (8763)_:
and he hath blessed
<01288> (8765)_;
and I cannot reverse
<07725> (8686)
it.
NASB ©
"Behold
<2009>
, I have received
<3947>

a command
to bless
<1288>
; When He has blessed
<1288>
, then I cannot
<3808>
revoke
<7725>
it.
LXXM
idou
<2400> 
INJ
eulogein
<2127> 
V-PAN
pareilhmmai
<3880> 
V-RMI-1S
euloghsw
<2127> 
V-FAI-1S
kai
<2532> 
CONJ
ou
<3364> 
ADV
mh
<3165> 
ADV
apostreqw
<654> 
V-FAI-1S
NET [draft] ITL
Indeed
<02009>
, I have received
<03947>
a command to bless
<01288>
; he has blessed
<01288>
, and I cannot
<03808>
reverse
<07725>
it.
HEBREW
hnbysa
<07725>
alw
<03808>
Krbw
<01288>
ytxql
<03947>
Krb
<01288>
hnh (23:20)
<02009>
NETBible

Indeed, I have received a command 1  to bless; he has blessed, 2  and I cannot reverse it. 3 

NET Notes

1 tn The Hebrew text simply has “I have received [to] bless.” The infinitive is the object of the verb, telling what he received. Balaam was not actually commanded to bless, but was given the word of blessing so that he was given a divine decree that would bless Israel.

2 sn The reference is probably to the first speech, where the Lord blessed Israel. Balaam knows that there is nothing he can do to reverse what God has said.

3 tn The verb is the Hiphil of שׁוּב (shuv), meaning “to cause to return.” He cannot return God’s word to him, for it has been given, and it will be fulfilled.