And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. Ver. 1. _He went not as at other times._] As being resolved to curse howsoever, and without God's leave; yea, _al despito di Dio,_ as th... [ Continue Reading ]
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding [in his tents] according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. Ver. 2. _And the spirit of God came upon him._] A common spirit, a spirit of prophecy: "Have not we prophesied in thy name?," Mat 7:22 said those castaways. _In im... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: Ver. 3. _Whose eyes are open._] And therefore can speak it of a certainty: for what is more sure than sight? q.d., Israel shall be blessed, and I will stand to it. He is blessed, "yea,... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open: Ver. 4. _Falling into a trance._] As was usual with the prophets; Gen 15:12 _Daniel 8:17,19_ 2Pe 1:21 _See Trapp on "_ 1Pe 1:21 _"_ They were carried out of and beyon... [ Continue Reading ]
_How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!_ Ver. 5. _How goodly are thy tents._] It fareth with a hypocrite, as with a surveyor of lands, that taketh an exact compass of other men's grounds, of which he shall never enjoy a foot. See Numbers 23:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters. Ver. 6. _As the trees of lign aloes._] An odoriferous sweet smelling tree, growing in Arabia, which is said to be a country so sweet... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed [shall be] in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. Ver. 7. _His seed shall be in many waters._] He shall sow in _locis irriguis; _ as men are bid to cast their bread, their alms, upon the wate... [ Continue Reading ]
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows. Ver. 8. _God brought him forth out of Egypt._] This he tells Balak, in answer to that complaint of his.... [ Continue Reading ]
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed [is] he that blesseth thee, and cursed [is] he that curseth thee. Ver. 9. _He lay down as a lion._] _See Trapp on "_ Gen 49:9 _"_ And cursed is he.] Here the sorcerer pronounceth a curse upon himself; for he des... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times._ Ver. 10. _And he smote his hands together._] So doth God at the covetous person, such... [ Continue Reading ]
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do [either] good or bad of mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak? Ver. 13. _I cannot go beyond._] Here was coloured covetousness, or "a cloak of covetousness." 1Th 2:5... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. Ver. 14. _I will advertise thee,_] viz., What to do; as he did. Num 31:16 Parasites propound to princes, _suavia potius quam sana consilia,_ pleasing but pes... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open: Ver. 16. _And knew the knowledge of the Most High._] The eye may be clear while the hand is palsied. Baalam's great knowled... [ Continue Reading ]
_I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth._ Ver. 17. _I shall see him._] So shall "every eye, and those also that pierced h... [ Continue Reading ]
And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Ver. 18. _And Edom shall be a possession._] This was literally fulfilled in David, 1Ch 18:13 Psa 60:8 but spiritually, and especially in Christ, Isaiah 63:1,2 _, &c._ who shall shortly su... [ Continue Reading ]
Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. Ver. 19. _And shall destroy him._] David in the history, 1Ki 11:15-16 Christ in the mystery, Oba 1:18 even all the antichristian rout and rabble. Rev 19:21... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever. Ver. 20. _First of the nations._] Or, Principal See Numbers 24:7 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Ver. 21. _The Kenites,_] _i.e., _ The Midianites, Judges 1:16 _; _ Jdg 4:11 mingled among the Amalekites, 1Sa 15:6 for whom they are, and fare the worse, as Hamath did... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. Ver. 22. _Until Ashur._] Who, together with the Jews, carried captive all the neighbouring nations. Jer 25:9... [ Continue Reading ]
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! Ver. 23. _Who shall live when, &c._] The Assyrian, that rod of God's wrath, that overflowing scourge, shall take all afore him, shall bereave millions of their lives, as Caesar is said to have done; and of Mohammed, the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And ships [shall come] from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever._ Ver. 24. _From the coast of Chittim._] Greece and Italy. These four great monarchs had their times and their turns, their ruins as well as their rise.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way. Ver. 25. _Returned to his place._] Homewards he went, but stayed amongst the Midianites, and soon after came back to them, to receive money of them, saith Chazkuni, when he heard say of the plague which had been in... [ Continue Reading ]