1._Build me here seven altars. _We more positively conclude from hence that this degenerate prophet had been by no means wont to prophesy in accordance with pure revelations from God, but that the art of divination, in which he boasted, had some affinity to magical exorcisms, and was infected with m... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And Balaam said unto Balak. _In this respect, also, he imitates the true servants of God: for he seeks retirement, because God has almost always appeared unto His servants when they have been separated from the company of men. You would say that he was another Moses, when he exhorts the king to p... [ Continue Reading ]
4._And God met Balaam. _It is wonderful that God should have determined to have anything in common with the pollutions of Balaam; since there is no communion between light and darkness, and He detests all association with demons; but, however hateful to God the impiety of Balaam was, this did not pr... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And he took up his parable and said. _The word משל, _mashal, _signifies all weighty and notable sayings, especially when expressed in exalted language. The meaning, therefore, is, that Balaam began to speak eloquently, and in no ordinary strain. Nor can it be doubted but that he aroused Balak’s a... [ Continue Reading ]
9_For from the top of the rocks I see him. _Unless I am mistaken, the meaning is that, although he only beheld the people from afar, so that he could not accurately perceive their power from so high and distant a spot, still they portended to him something great and formidable. A closer view general... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Who can count the dust of Jacob? _Hence it is plain that what Balaam was to say was suggested to him by God, since he quotes the words of God’s solemn promise, wherein the seed of Abraham is compared to the dust of the earth. Still, we must bear in mind what I have just adverted to, that, althou... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And Balak said unto Balaam. _The proud man again reproaches the false prophet, as if he had fairly purchased of him the right of prophecy. (159) Behold how the reprobate seek God by crooked paths, and desire to have nothing to do with Him, unless He yields to their improper wishes — in a word, u... [ Continue Reading ]
13._And Balac said unto him. _Balak did, as almost all superstitious persons usually do; for, because with them nothing is certain or established, they are carried about from one speculation to another, and try now this and now that expedient. But especially do they imagine that there is some magica... [ Continue Reading ]
17._And when he came to him. _Balak inquires what God had answered, although he had rejected the previous revelation. Thus do hypocrites profess anxious solicitude in inquiring the will of God, whilst the knowledge of it is intolerable to them. Therefore their extreme earnestness in inquiry is nothi... [ Continue Reading ]
18._And he took up his parable and said. _We have already explained the meaning of this expression, namely, to make use of glowing and elevated language, in order the more to awaken the attention of the hearer. The same also is the object of the preface, “Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, t... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Behold I have received commandment to bless. _He signifies that a command to bless had been given him, antl a positive law laid down for him. For, as has been said, he was not free and independent in this matter; but God had bound him to exercise the prophetic office, even against his own will.... [ Continue Reading ]
21._He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob. _Some understand by און, _aven, _ עמל _, gnamal, _idols, (161) which bring nothing but deadly labor and trouble to their worshippers; as if it were said that Israel was pure and untainted by such offenses, in that they duly served the one true God. But how w... [ Continue Reading ]
22._God brouqht them out of Egypt. _He assigns a reason for their constant success, _i.e., _because God has once redeemed this people, He will not forsake the work which He has begun. The argument is drawn from the continued course of God’s blessings; for, since they flow from an inexhaustible fount... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Surely there is no enchantment. _This passage is commonly expounded as an encomium on the people, because they are not given to enchantments and magical superstitions, as God also had strictly enjoined upon them in His law that they should not pollute themselves by such defilements. Others thus... [ Continue Reading ]
24._Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion. _This comparison is not in every respect accurate; for it does not signify that the Israelites should be cruel or rapacious, but merely bold and strong, and prompt in their resistance if any should provoke them. In the next chapter, it will occur... [ Continue Reading ]
25._And Balak said unto Balaam. _Here we may behold as in a mirror how wretchedly unbelievers are driven to and fro, so as to alternate between vain hopes and fears, though by their changes of purpose they are still brought back to the same errors, as if their blind passion led them through a labyri... [ Continue Reading ]
26._But Balaam answered and said. _The mercenary prophet here confesses that he has no more power of himself to be silent than to speak. Nor is there any doubt but that he would excuse himself with servility to the proud king, to whom he would willingly have sold himself; as if, in his desire to ave... [ Continue Reading ]