Comentario sobre Números 24:12

[AND BALAAM SAID UNTO BALAK]: ‘SPOKE I NOT ALSO TO THY MESSENGERS ETC.?’ Balaam was now defending himself on the basis of what he had told Balak’s messengers when they came back to him, before he knew what the Eternal would speak unto him more;²²⁵Above, 22:19. In other words, in Verse 18 ibid., we are told that he said to Balak’s servants that he cannot go beyond the word of G-d even if Balak would give him a house full of silver and gold. It is on the basis of these remarks that he is now defending himself. But, as Ramban continues, in actual fact he misled Balak, because he still made out that he was prepared to curse the people even after the Eternal spoke to him further, and he did not tell Balak of G-d’s true message then. but afterwards [i.e., after G-d had told him that he may only go with them, but must not curse the people] he still made out that he was ready to come and curse [the people], until the angel warned him on the road, as I have explained.²²⁶Ibid., Verse 20.

הלא גם אל מלאכיך, you have no cause to be surprised as I told your emissaries already that the reason I had not complied with your request was not that I did not think that you paid me sufficient honour. I had told them that the matter was not within my power.