Numbers 22:1
The plains of Moab — Which still retained their ancient title, though they had been taken away from the Moabites by Sihon, and from him by the Israelites. By Jericho — That is, over against Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]
The plains of Moab — Which still retained their ancient title, though they had been taken away from the Moabites by Sihon, and from him by the Israelites. By Jericho — That is, over against Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sore afraid — As it was foretold both in general of all nations, Deuteronomy 2:25, and particularly concerning Moab, Exodus 15:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
The elders — Called the kings of Midian, Numbers 31:8, and princes of Midian, Joshua 13:21, who though divided into their kingdoms yet were now united upon the approach of the Israelites their common enemy, and being, as it seems, a potent and crafty people, and neighbours to the Moabites, these see... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam — Who is called a prophet, 2 Peter 2:16, because God was pleased to inspire and direct him to speak the following prophecies. Indeed many of the Jewish writers say, that Balaam had been a great prophet, who for the accomplishment of his predictions, and the answers of his prayers, had been lo... [ Continue Reading ]
Curse them for my sake and benefit; use thy utmost power, which thou hast with thy Gods, to blast and ruin them. We may smite them — Thou by thy imprecations, and I by my sword.... [ Continue Reading ]
This night — The night was the time when God used to reveal his mind by dreams. The Lord — Heb. Jehovah, the true God, whom he here mentions, either for his own greater reputation, as if he consulted not with inferior spirits, but with the supreme God; or rather because this was Israel's God, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
What men are these — He asks this that Balaam by repeating the thing in God's presence might be convinced and ashamed of his sin and folly, in offering his service in such a business: and for a foundation to the following answer.... [ Continue Reading ]
If the men come — On this condition he was to go.... [ Continue Reading ]
Because he went — Because he went of his own accord, with the princes of Moab, and did not wait till they came to call him, which was the sign and condition of God's permission, but rather himself rose and called them. The apostle describes Balaam's sin here to be, that he ran greedily into an error... [ Continue Reading ]
Opened the mouth — Conferred upon her the power of speech and reasoning for that time.... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam said — Balaam was not much terrified with the ass's speaking, because perhaps he was accustomed to converse with evil spirits, who appeared to him and discoursed with him in the shape of such creatures. Perhaps he was so blinded by passion, that he did not consider the strangeness of the thin... [ Continue Reading ]
On his face — In token of reverence and submission.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy way is perverse — Springing from covetousness.... [ Continue Reading ]
I had slain thee — I had slain thee alone, and not her, therefore her turning aside and falling down was wholly for thy benefit, not for her own, and thy anger against her was unjust and unreasonable.... [ Continue Reading ]
Go with the men — I allow thee to go, upon the following terms.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the utmost coast — Not far from the camp of the Israelites, whom he desired him to curse.... [ Continue Reading ]
The princes — Whom the king had left to attend him.... [ Continue Reading ]
The high places of Baal — Consecrated to the worship of Baal, that is, of Baal Peor, who was their Baal or God. The utmost part — That is, all that people, even to the utmost and remotest of them, as appears by comparing this with, Numbers 23:13. He hoped that the sight of such a numerous host ready... [ Continue Reading ]