But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak: But renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction (literally “And”), since it introduces an unexpected response from Balaam. After what Balak promised him, it would be expected for Balaam to agree to go. Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew text by saying the servants of Balak (so also most translations; similarly New Jewish Publication Society Version with “Balak’s officials” and Nouvelle Bible Segond with “the people of Balak”). However, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, PV, La Bible de Jérusalem: Nouvelle édition revue et corrigée, Dutch Common Language Version, and Luther say “Balak’s messengers [or, the messengers of Balak],” which follows the Peshitta. Perhaps this reading was chosen because of the term “messengers” in verse 5, or because “servants” was considered an odd reading, so soon after the term “princes” in verse 15. However, there is no problem with the Hebrew text here, so translators should follow it. If the word for “servants” in a language only refers to people who do menial tasks, then it is better rendered “officials” (New Jewish Publication Society Version) in this context.

Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold is literally “If Balak gave me the fulness of his house silver and gold.” Good News Bible provides a good model here, saying “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace.”

I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God is literally “I could not pass by the mouth of the LORD my God.” Go beyond may be rendered “disobey” (Good News Bible). For the figurative use of “mouth” in reference to God’s command, see the comments on 3.16 and 20.24. In some languages it may be natural to say “words of the mouth.” By saying the LORD my God, Balaam recognizes the LORD as his God. He seemed to know the personal name for God (rendered the LORD) even before Balak’s messengers first came with their request (verse 8). Of course, it might be expected that a well-known diviner-prophet in the region would know such details. After God’s first revelation (verse 12), Balaam realized that he was under the LORD’s authority and control.

To do less or more is literally “to do small or great,” which may be rendered “whether it is to do something small or something great.” Good News Bible expresses what this clause implies, saying “in even the smallest matter” (that is, “anything at all”). PV combines this clause with the previous one as follows: “I cannot do anything, whether small or great, against the order of the LORD my God” (similarly Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). Balaam will do only what God allows him to do, regardless of the reward.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .