Numbers 23:19 – The Immutable Nature of God and the Faithfulness of Literal Translation

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Introduction: The Need for a Faithful Rendering of the Divine Speech

Translating Scripture is not merely an academic task or literary exercise—it is the sacred duty of conveying the very words of God as given to His inspired writers. Numbers 23:19 is one of the most profound declarations of God’s unchangeable nature and His utter truthfulness. Yet, many modern translations have weakened its message by using interpretive renderings rather than remaining faithful to the original Hebrew. As translators committed to the principles of literal fidelity, accuracy, consistency, and theological neutrality, we must avoid eisegesis in translation. Our role is not to explain what God meant but to faithfully present what He said.

Text of Numbers 23:19 (UASV)

“God is not man, that he should lie,
Nor a son of man, that he should repent.”
(Numbers 23:19, Updated American Standard Version)

Hebrew Analysis of Key Phrases

The Hebrew of Numbers 23:19 is straightforward, yet loaded with theological significance. The verse reads:

לֹ֤א אִישׁ אֵ֙ל֙ וִֽיכַזֵּ֔ב וּבֶן־אָדָ֖ם וְיִתְנֶחָ֑ם

Literal rendering: “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent.”

1. לֹא אִישׁ אֵ֙ל֙ וִֽיכַזֵּ֔ב — “God is not a man that He should lie”

אִישׁ (ʾîš) – “man,” referring to a human being in a general sense.
אֵל (ʾēl) – “God,” a generic term used in contrast to man.
וִֽיכַזֵּ֔ב (wîkaḵēzēḇ) – from the verb כָּזַב (kāzav), meaning “to lie, to deceive.”

This clause presents an absolute contrast. God is not human in nature or character, and therefore He does not lie. Human beings are frequently deceitful and unreliable. God is the polar opposite in moral character.

2. וּבֶן־אָדָ֖ם וְיִתְנֶחָ֑ם — “Nor a son of man that He should repent”

בֶן־אָדָם (ben-ʾādām) – “a son of man,” idiomatically “a human being,” often used to emphasize frailty or earthliness (cf. Job 25:6; Psalm 8:4).
יִתְנֶחָם (yitnaḥēm) – Hithpael imperfect third masculine singular of נָחַם (nāḥam).

This verb is at the heart of the translation issue.

Translation Issue: “Repent” vs. “Change His Mind” vs. “Relent”

The Root נָחַם (nāḥam)

The root נָחַם has a wide semantic range, but its fundamental idea involves a change of mind or disposition, often involving sorrow or compassion. The Hithpael stem (reflexive) often suggests to relent, to be sorry, to repent.

It is used both of man and God in different contexts. In the case of man, it often refers to repentance from sin (e.g., Job 42:6; Jeremiah 8:6). In the case of God, it is sometimes used to indicate a change in God’s dealings with men due to a change in their behavior or status, not a change in God’s nature or His eternal purposes (e.g., Genesis 6:6; Exodus 32:14; Jonah 3:10).

Contextual Integrity: Numbers 23

The context of Numbers 23 is vital. Balaam is declaring the immutability and truthfulness of God. God has spoken a blessing over Israel, and Balaam affirms that God does not change His pronouncement based on shifting circumstances or human pressure.

This declaration is specifically made in contrast to human fickleness, making the interpretive renderings “change his mind” or “relent” problematic.

Correct Translation: “Repent”

The term “repent” is literal and consistent with the verb נָחַם in the Hithpael form. Even though the modern connotation of “repent” often includes sorrow for sin, the broader biblical usage allows for repentance in the sense of a change of purpose or intention.

To render it “change his mind” is interpretive. While it may express a similar concept, it introduces an explanatory gloss, placing the translator in the role of interpreter. Even worse are renderings like:

NIV: “that he should change his mind” – Softens the force.
NLT: “that he should change his plans” – This is a paraphrase, not a translation.
CSB, ESV, NASB: “change his mind” – Interpretive, not strictly wrong, but veers toward dynamic equivalence.
KJV/NKJV: Though traditional, their inconsistent use of “repent” and archaic style make them unsuitable here.

The ASV and UASV rightly preserve “repent,” allowing the reader to engage the term in its full biblical and theological scope. The footnote in the UASV wisely explains the OT usage of repentance without altering the text, upholding the principle that interpretation belongs to the reader or expositor—not the translator.

God’s Immutability and Theological Soundness

Numbers 23:19 is one of the clearest affirmations of the immutability of God—His unchanging nature in character and purpose.

God’s inability to lie (cf. Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) and His unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17) are foundational to biblical theology. The translator must not diminish this truth by using language that implies God’s plans are subject to revision as man’s are.

The verse does not deny that God may change His course of action in response to human repentance (e.g., Jonah 3:10), but it does affirm that when God speaks, His word stands. The blessings spoken over Israel cannot be reversed. God’s “repentance” in this context is not possible, because there is no change in circumstances that would require a change in God’s plan.

To say He might “change His mind” as a man does, implies a degree of unpredictability and instability that is theologically untenable. Hence, the literal term “repent” must be preserved and explained only when necessary in footnotes or commentaries.

Textual and Manuscript Considerations

There is no meaningful textual variant in the Masoretic Text of Numbers 23:19 for וְיִתְנֶחָם. The LXX (Septuagint) renders it as οὐδὲ ὡς υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ἐπαναγινώσκων — “nor as a son of man that He should reconsider” (ἐπαναγινώσκων), a Greek participle meaning “to reconsider” or “to change one’s opinion.”

Though helpful to see how ancient Jewish translators viewed the term, the LXX is still interpretive at this point, opting for explanation rather than fidelity to form.

The Dead Sea Scrolls preserve Numbers 23:19 in fragmentary condition (4QNum), but nothing alters the Masoretic reading. All reliable Hebrew witnesses preserve וְיִתְנֶחָם, confirming the stability and accuracy of the traditional Hebrew text.

Conclusion: Upholding the Word through Accurate Translation

Numbers 23:19 is a theological cornerstone. It asserts the perfection of God’s nature, particularly His truthfulness and immutability. The Hebrew וְיִתְנֶחָם should always be translated literally as “repent,” because that is what the inspired author wrote. Anything else risks introducing human reasoning into the sacred text.

The Updated American Standard Version (UASV) stands faithful to the original, resisting the interpretive impulse seen in many modern versions. It allows readers to engage the fullness of the divine declaration without editorial filtering. The translator’s task is not to act as commentator, nor to adapt God’s words to fit doctrinal expectations or reader comfort. Rather, it is to translate truth—nothing more, nothing less.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).