But Balaam answered the officials of Balak, 'Although Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more' — Balaam's response is emphatic and principled. He explicitly rejects the notion that wealth can alter his obedience to God. The phrase 'I could not go beyond the word of the LORD' (lo ukhal laavor et-pi YHWH) is total refusal: financial incentive, honor, royal favor—none can persuade him to disobey. Yet the phrasing is subtle: 'I cannot go beyond' (laavor) suggests that Balaam understands his boundary, that transgression is impossible for him.

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