Numbers 23:1-30
BALAAM (CONTINUED) 1-10. First Utterance of Balaam.... [ Continue Reading ]
BALAAM (CONTINUED) 1-10. First Utterance of Balaam.... [ Continue Reading ]
On the meaning of these sacrifices see on Numbers 22:40. Balak may have intended these sacrifices for Baal, but Balaam at all events thinks of the God who spoke to him at Pethor and whose angel met him on the way (see Numbers 23:4).... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GO] to inspect the omens, to see what indications are visible of God's will: cp. Numbers 24:1; Leviticus 19:31. TO AN HIGH PLACE] RV 'to a bare height': see on Numbers 22:41.... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam is constrained to bless Israel as God has manifestly done. This is plain from three signs, (1) the separation of the people (Numbers 23:9), (2) their number (Numbers 23:10), and (3) their righteousness (Numbers 23:10). ARAM] the ancient name of Mesopotamia.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE SHALL DWELL ALONE, etc.] rather, 'Behold a people that dwelleth alone and is not reckoned among the nations!' Balaam singles out what was, and is still, a distinguishing characteristic of the Hebrew people, viz. their separateness from other nations. They were chosen of God in Abraham the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RIGHTEOUS] The people of Israel are called 'the righteous' because God, who is Himself righteous, has called them to be the same. The Heb word for 'righteous' is _Jashar_, and Jeshurun is a poetical name given to Israel in Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5; Deuteronomy 33:26; Isaiah 44:2. It i... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. 1 Kings 22:13; 1 Kings 22:14. 13-26. Balaam's Second Utterance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Seeing that Balaam had been impressed with the multitude of Israel (Numbers 23:10), Balak now restricts the prophet's view of the host, in the hope that he may be prevailed upon to curse it: see on Numbers 22:41.... [ Continue Reading ]
ZOPHIM] 'watchers' or 'lookers-out.' It is from the same Heb. root as Mizpah (see Genesis 31:49). PISGAHIS probably the general name for the mountain range lying to the NE. of the Dead Sea, of which Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1), Peor (Numbers 23:28), and Zophim are peaks. In Deuteronomy 32:49 this mounta... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam declares that God's purpose to bless Israel cannot be altered (Numbers 23:19). With them He is well pleased (Numbers 23:21). It is He who is bringing them out of Egypt, and with Him as Leader and Defender they are certain to be victorious (Numbers 23:22).... [ Continue Reading ]
Balak is wrong in thinking to induce God by means of enchantments to alter His purpose: cp. 1 Samuel 15:29; Isaiah 54:10; Romans 11:29; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:13; James 1:17... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHOUT OF A KING] is not the shout raised by a king, but the shout raised at the presence of a king. Israel rejoices in having God as their king: see Exodus 15:18; Deuteronomy 33:5; Isaiah 33:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD BROUGHT] rather, 'It is God, and no other, that is bringing them out of Egypt.' They are here under the divine direction: cp. Exodus 20:2; Exodus 29:46; Leviticus 19:36. UNICORN] RV 'the wild ox,' or buffalo: cp. Deuteronomy 33:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The rendering of AV gives the sense 'it is useless to employ the powers of enchantment against this people; they are proof against all such weapons.' But the right rendering is rather, 'there is no enchantment _in_ Jacob,' i.e. this people has no need to employ magical arts in its defence, as you, B... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT LION] Heb. 'a lioness.'... [ Continue Reading ]
What Balak means is, 'If you will not curse them, I forbid you to bless them.'... [ Continue Reading ]
PEOR] is a peak of the mountain range of Moab. See on Numbers 23:14. On Jeshimon see on Numbers 21:20.... [ Continue Reading ]