Numbers 23:19
Numbers 23:19 in Multiple Translations
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?
God is not a man, to say what is false; or the son of man, that his purpose may be changed: what he has said, will he not do? and will he not give effect to the words of his mouth?
God isn't a human being who would lie. He's not a mere mortal who changes his mind. Does he say he's going to do something but doesn't? Does he make promises he doesn't carry out?
God is not as man, that he should lie, neither as the sonne of man that he shoulde repent: hath he sayde and shall he not do it? and hath he spoken, and shall he not accomplish it?
God [is] not a man — and lieth, And a son of man — and repenteth! Hath He said — and doth He not do [it]? And spoken — and doth He not confirm it?
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and he won’t do it? Or has he spoken, and he won’t make it good?
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it ? or hath he spoke, and shall he not make it good?
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor as the son of man, that he should be changed. Hath he said then, and will he not do? hath he spoken, and will he not fulfill?
God is not a human being. Humans lie, but God never lies. He never changes his mind/thoughts, as humans do. Whatever he has said that he will do, he does.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 23:19
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Numbers 23:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 23:19
Study Notes — Numbers 23:19
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 23:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
- Sermons on Numbers 23:19
Context — Balaam’s Second Oracle
19God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
20I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. 21He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 15:29 | Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” |
| 2 | James 1:17 | Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. |
| 3 | Malachi 3:6 | “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. |
| 4 | Hebrews 6:18 | Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. |
| 5 | Titus 1:2 | in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. |
| 6 | Romans 11:29 | For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. |
| 7 | Luke 21:33 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. |
| 8 | Habakkuk 2:3 | For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay. |
| 9 | Psalms 89:35 | Once and for all I have sworn by My holiness— I will not lie to David— |
| 10 | Hosea 11:9 | I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath. |
Numbers 23:19 Summary
[This verse reminds us that God is completely trustworthy and faithful to His promises, unlike humans who can be unreliable and change their minds. As it says in Psalm 119:160, the entirety of God's word is truth, and we can count on Him to do what He says. Because God is not a man, He does not lie or change His mind, and this gives us confidence in His love and care for us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, where He promises to give us a hope and a future.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God is not a man, and how does this relate to His character?
This statement emphasizes God's perfection and trustworthiness, as seen in Numbers 23:19, and is further supported by verses like Psalm 92:15, which declares that God is upright and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Does God ever change His mind, as stated in 1 Samuel 15:29 and other passages?
While 1 Samuel 15:29 says that God is not a man that He should repent, Numbers 23:19 clarifies that God does not change His mind in the sense that humans do, as He is perfect and unchanging, as also seen in Malachi 3:6 and James 1:17.
How can we trust God's promises, especially when we face difficult circumstances?
According to Numbers 23:19, God is faithful to fulfill His promises, and this is reinforced by verses like Deuteronomy 7:9, which says that God keeps His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
What is the significance of God speaking and acting, as mentioned in this verse?
This emphasizes God's power and faithfulness, as He not only speaks but also acts on His words, as seen in Isaiah 55:11, where it says that God's word will not return empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I apply the truth of God's faithfulness to my own life, especially when faced with uncertainty or doubt?
- How does the fact that God is not a man, and therefore does not lie or change His mind, impact my trust in Him and His promises?
- What are some promises in Scripture that I can hold onto, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill them, and how can I claim them in prayer?
- In what ways can I reflect God's character of faithfulness and trustworthiness in my own relationships and interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 23:19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 23:19
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 23:19
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 23:19
Sermons on Numbers 23:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The King and the Kingdom by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of the kingdom of God by knowing the character of the king. The character of the king is demonstra |
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(Through the Bible) Numbers 21-28 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker uses a football game as an analogy to explain how God sees our lives. He emphasizes that God's purposes remain steadfast and sure, even though it may ap |
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The Sure Word of God by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the certainty and fulfillment of God's promises. He uses the example of God's judgment upon Jerusalem to illustrate this point. The preacher |
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Jude: Last Days - Balaam 2 by Martin Geehan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the love of Christ to be present in the world. He believes that until people have Christ's love in their hearts towards one ano |
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The Sure Word of God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the faithfulness of God's Word, highlighting the certainty that what God has spoken, He will bring to pass without fail. It delves into the importance of cho |
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Freeing Failure by Paul De Jong | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the unchanging nature of God and how He is always able to do things perfectly. However, the speaker emphasizes that it is us who ch |
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Only Believe by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of walking with someone and encountering a group of tough guys. The speaker's companion becomes afraid, but when the speake |





