Balaam Warned That Only God's Word Will Leave His Mouth

Midrash Aggadah, Numbers 22:35

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"But only the word" (Numbers 22:35). But if you wish to reveal a word that I told you not to say, know that you will speak that very word against your will. And "efes" ("only") is nothing but a term of consuming, as it is said, "for the money is gone (efes)" (Genesis 47:15). "And Balaam went with the princes of Balak" (Numbers 22:35). Come and see the hatred of that wicked man: all the warnings the Holy One, blessed be He, gave him, and the angel commanded him that he had no permission to go — even so, he thought to bribe the Holy One, blessed be He, with his sacrifices, so that He would let him curse.

Themes

Prophecy

Biblical References

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