במדבר, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ג

Balaam’s final words to Balak serve as a firm defense against the king’s mounting frustration, drawing a clear line between human limits and the unstoppable will of God. Facing the reality that he will receive neither payment nor honor for failing to deliver the desired outcome, Balaam insists that the king's disappointment is entirely unjustified. He makes it clear that he never deceived the king at any point, having warned him from the very beginning about the strict boundaries of his own power [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. To truly capture his absolute helplessness before God's command, Balaam uses the image of a house filled with wealth. He deliberately mentions the king's house rather than his own, recognizing that a royal palace is vastly larger. He emphasizes that even an unimaginable fortune of that size could not possibly alter reality [ברכת אשר על התורה].

Throughout their encounters, Balaam’s responses have steadily built to this climax. Initially, he explained that the prophecy belonged entirely to God. Later, he argued that he had to deliver the message even if the king preferred silence, and eventually stated he was bound to do God's will. Now, he addresses a lingering suspicion from the king—that Balaam might actually be following God's words out of his own personal desire. Balaam firmly shuts this down, explaining that he acts out of absolute necessity. He possesses zero power or ability to rebel against God, whether in speech or in action [הכתב והקבלה].

A careful look at how Balaam expresses himself reveals a profound psychological and spiritual decline. In earlier encounters, he claimed a personal connection to God. Now, he drops any sense of belonging, acting out of a deep realization that he is already hated, despised, and completely rejected by Him [רש"י, ברכת אשר על התורה]. This internal shift also changes how he describes his own abilities. Previously, he claimed he could not do anything small or great. Now, he declares he cannot do good or evil. The primary approach among commentators views the earlier mention of a small action as a reference to cursing—a natural, effortless task for him—while a great action refers to blessing, which he struggles to produce [העמק דבר]. However, others connect this new phrasing directly to his ruined spiritual state. Precisely because he understands that God has rejected him, Balaam finally drops his guard, openly revealing the evil intentions he secretly harbored toward the Israelites from the very start [משכיל לדוד].