Numbers 23:19-24
“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?... Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”
King James Version
Balaam's oracle declaring God's unchanging faithfulness — He cannot lie or revoke His blessing on His people.
Fulfillment References
Titus 1:2 Romans 11:29 Malachi 3:6 Hebrews 6:17-18
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'God is not a man, that he should lie' — yet in Jesus the one God became flesh without ceasing to be true; His blessing in Christ is irrevocable (Rom. 11:29).
JewishBalaam, hired to curse, is compelled to bless — God's word and election of Israel are irrevocable; a treasured affirmation of God's faithfulness.
CatholicGod's unchanging truthfulness and the irrevocability of His covenant promises.
ProtestantA bedrock text for God's immutability and faithfulness — 'God is not a man, that he should lie' (cf. Titus 1:2).
OrthodoxThe unchanging faithfulness of God who cannot lie.
DispensationalThe irrevocable covenant blessing on Israel, undergirding the nation's future.
AcademicPart of the Balaam oracles (Num. 22-24); the Deir Alla inscription attests a 'Balaam son of Beor' tradition outside the Bible — a notable archaeological parallel.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.