Verse 1

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 22 . 1 , Balak’s first message for Balaam is refused; Numbers 22 . 15 , His second message obtains him; Numbers 22 . 22 , An angel would have slain him , if he had not been saved by his ass; Numbers 22 . 36 , Balak entertains him.

the children . Numbers 21 . 20 , Numbers 33 . 48-50 , Numbers 36 . 13 , Deuteronomy 34 . 1 , Deuteronomy 34 . 8

on this side . Numbers 32 . 19 , Numbers 34 . 15 , Deuteronomy 1 . 5 , Deuteronomy 3 . 8 , Joshua 3 . 16

Reciprocal . Genesis 19 . 37 . Moabites Numbers 26 . 3 . General Numbers 31 . 12 . the plains of Moab Numbers 35 . 1 . General Amos 2 . 1 . For three Micah 6 . 5 . Balak

Verse 2

Numbers 21 . 3 , Numbers 21 . 20-35, Judges 11 . 25

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 4 . And Balak

Verse 3

Exodus 15 . 15 , Deuteronomy 2 . 25 , Joshua 2 . 10 , Joshua 2 . 11 , Joshua 2 . 24 , Joshua 9 . 24 , Psalm 53 . 5 , Isaiah 23 . 5

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 2 . 4 . they shall Nehemiah 2 . 10 . it grieved Nehemiah 13 . 2 . hired Balaam Habakkuk 3 . 7 . saw the

Verse 4

elders . Numbers 22 . 7 , Numbers 25 . 15-18 , Numbers 31 . 8 , Joshua 13 . 21 , Joshua 13 . 22

Now shall . Numbers 24 . 17 , Jeremiah 48 . 38

And Balak . Numbers 22 . 2 , Judges 11 . 25

Reciprocal . Genesis 25 . 2 . Midian Exodus 1 . 9 . the people Numbers 22 . 10 . General Numbers 25 . 6 . a Midianitish Deuteronomy 2 . 4 . they shall Deuteronomy 2 . 9 . Distress not the Moabites 1 Kings 11 . 18 . Midian 1 Chronicles 1 . 32 . Midian Nehemiah 2 . 10 . it grieved Habakkuk 3 . 7 . saw the

Verse 5

sent . Deuteronomy 23 . 4 , Joshua 13 . 22 , Joshua 24 . 9 , Nehemiah 13 . 1 , Nehemiah 13 . 2 , Micah 6 . 5 , 2 Peter 2 . 15 , 2 Peter 2 . 16 , son of Bosor , Jude 1 . 11 , Revelation 2 . 14

Pethor . Dr. Kennicott justly remarks , that "the description now given of Balaam's residence , instead of being particular , agrees with any place , in any country where there is a river; for he lived by Pethor , which is by the river of the land of his people.' But was Pethor , then , near the Nile in Egypt? Or in Canaan , near Jordan? Or in Mesopotamia , near the Euphrates , and belonging to the Ammonites? This last was in fact the case; and therefore , it is well that twelve Hebrew manuscripts . with two of De Rossi's confirm the Samaritan text here , in reading instead of âmmo , his people ,' Ammon , with the Syriac and Vulgate versions." Houbigant justly contends for this reading; and necessity urges the propriety of adopting it , and it thus agrees with Deuteronomy 23 . 4. Ptolemy calls Pethor , Pachura , and Eusebius , Pathura; who places it in upper Mesopotamia. Calmet is of opinion , that it was situated towards Thapsacus , beyond the Euphrates. Numbers 23 . 7 , Deuteronomy 23 . 4

they cover . Genesis 13 . 16 , Exodus 1 . 7-10, Psalm 105 . 24

face . Heb. eye

Reciprocal . Exodus 1 . 9 . the people Exodus 15 . 14 . hear Numbers 23 . 22 . God 1 Chronicles 6 . 70 . Bileam

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 15 . princes Numbers 23 . 3 . peradventure Numbers 23 . 15 . General

Verse 9

God . Numbers 22 . 20 , Genesis 20 . 3 , Genesis 31 . 24 , Genesis 41 . 25 , Daniel 2 . 45 , Daniel 4 . 31 , Daniel 4 . 32 , Matthew 7 . 22 , Matthew 24 . 24 , John 11 . 51

What men . Genesis 3 . 9-11 , Genesis 4 . 9 , Genesis 16 . 8 , Exodus 4 . 2 , 2 Kings 20 . 14 , 2 Kings 20 . 15

Reciprocal . Numbers 23 . 3 . peradventure Numbers 23 . 4 . God

Verse 10

Numbers 22 . 4-6

Reciprocal . Numbers 31 . 8 . Balaam

Verse 11

able to overcome them . Heb. prevail in fighting against them , Numbers 22 . 11

Reciprocal . Genesis 27 . 29 . cursed Numbers 23 . 7 . Come Numbers 23 . 11 . General Numbers 24 . 10 . I called Joshua 24 . 10 . General 1 Samuel 17 . 43 . cursed

Verse 12

Thou shalt . Numbers 22 . 20 , Job 33 . 15-17 , Matthew 27 . 19

thou shalt not curse . Numbers 22 . 19 , Numbers 23 . 3 , Numbers 23 . 13-15 , Numbers 23 . 19 , Numbers 23 . 23 , Micah 6 . 5

for they . Numbers 23 . 20 , Genesis 12 . 2 , Genesis 22 . 16-18 , Deuteronomy 23 . 5 , Deuteronomy 33 . 29 , Psalm 144 . 15 , Psalm 146 . 5 , Romans 4 . 6 , Romans 4 . 7 , Romans 11 . 29 , Ephesians 1 . 3

Reciprocal . Genesis 27 . 29 . cursed Numbers 22 . 34 . if it displease thee Deuteronomy 1 . 11 . and bless you Joshua 24 . 10 . General 1 Samuel 17 . 43 . cursed Psalm 109 . 28 . Let them

Verse 13

for the Lord . Numbers 22 . 14 , Deuteronomy 23 . 5

Reciprocal . Numbers 24 . 1 . saw 1 Kings 13 . 16 . General 1 Kings 21 . 4 . I will not

Verse 14

Balaam refuseth . Numbers 22 . 13 , Numbers 22 . 37

Reciprocal . 1 Kings 21 . 4 . I will not

Verse 15

princes . Numbers 22 . 7 , Numbers 22 . 8 , Acts 10 . 7 , Acts 10 . 8

Reciprocal . Genesis 34 . 19 . honourable

Verse 16

Let nothing . etc. Heb. Be not thou letted from , etc. Numbers 22 . 16

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 37 . General 2 Samuel 13 . 28 . fear not Daniel 2 . 48 . a great

Verse 17

I will promote . Numbers 24 . 11 , Deuteronomy 16 . 9 , Esther 5 . 11 , Esther 7 . 9 , Matthew 4 . 8 , Matthew 4 . 9 , Matthew 16 . 26

and I will do . Numbers 23 . 2 , Numbers 23 . 3 , Numbers 23 . 29 , Numbers 23 . 30 , Matthew 14 . 7

come . Numbers 22 . 6

curse me . An erroneous opinion prevailed , both in those days and in after ages , that some men had the power , by the help of their gods , to devote , not only particular persons , but cities and whole armies , to destruction. This they are said to have done sometimes by words of imprecation; of which there was a set form among some people , which schines calls היןסיזןלוםחם בסבם , "the determinate curse." Macrobius has a whole chapter on this subject. He gives us two of the ancient forms used in reference to the destruction of Carthage; the first , which was only pronounced by the dictator , or general , was to call over the protecting deities to their side , and the other to devote the city to destruction , which they were supposed to have abandoned. The Romans held , that no city would be taken till its tutelary god had forsaken it; or if it could be taken , it would be unlawful , as it would be sacrilege to lead the gods into captivity. Virgil intimates , that Troy was destroyed because Excessere omnes adytis , arisque relictis dii , quibus imperium hoc steterat , "All the gods , by whose assistance the empire had hitherto been preserved , forsook their altars and temples." See more on this subject in Dr. A. Clarke , Bp. Patrick , and Burder's Oriental Customs , No. 734.

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 37 . General Numbers 23 . 7 . Come Numbers 23 . 11 . General Numbers 24 . 10 . I called Deuteronomy 23 . 4 . because they hired Judges 16 . 5 . we will 2 Samuel 13 . 28 . fear not 2 Kings 5 . 5 . and took Daniel 2 . 6 . ye shall Daniel 2 . 48 . a great Daniel 5 . 7 . be clothed Acts 1 . 18 . with 1 Timothy 6 . 9 . they

Verse 18

If Balak . Numbers 24 . 13 , Titus 1 . 16

I cannot . Numbers 23 . 26 , Numbers 24 . 13 , 1 Kings 22 . 14 , 2 Chronicles 18 . 13 , Daniel 5 . 17 , Acts 8 . 20

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 38 . have I Numbers 23 . 20 . I cannot Numbers 24 . 12 . General Joshua 24 . 10 . General Judges 16 . 5 . we will 1 Kings 13 . 8 . If 2 Kings 5 . 5 . and took Job 3 . 15 . who filled their houses 2 Peter 2 . 15 . who

Verse 19

Numbers 22 . 7 , Numbers 22 . 8 , 1 Timothy 6 . 9 , 1 Timothy 6 . 10 , 2 Peter 2 . 3 , 2 Peter 2 . 15 , Jude 1 . 11

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 12 . thou shalt not curse 1 Kings 13 . 16 . General Job 4 . 13 . thoughts

Verse 20

God . Numbers 22 . 9

If the men . 1 Samuel 8 . 5-9 , 1 Samuel 12 . 12-19 , Psalm 81 . 12 , Ezekiel 14 . 2-5, 2 Thessalonians 2 . 9-12

but yet . Numbers 22 . 35 , Numbers 23 . 12 , Numbers 23 . 26 , Numbers 24 . 13 , Psalm 33 . 10 , Psalm 33 . 11 , Psalm 78 . 30 , Psalm 78 . 31 , Isaiah 37 . 29 , Hosea 13 . 11

Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 24 . dream Numbers 22 . 8 . General Numbers 22 . 12 . Thou shalt Numbers 22 . 32 . before me Numbers 23 . 4 . God 1 Samuel 8 . 7 . Hearken Job 4 . 13 . thoughts Jeremiah 1 . 7 . for thou shalt

Verse 21

Proverbs 1 . 15 , Proverbs 1 . 16

Reciprocal . Numbers 16 . 15 . I have not Numbers 22 . 35 . I shall speak 1 Kings 13 . 13 . General

Verse 22

God's . 2 Kings 10 . 20 , Hosea 1 . 4

and the angel . Numbers 22 . 35 , Genesis 48 . 15 , Genesis 48 . 16 , Exodus 3 . 2-6 , Hosea 12 . 4 , Hosea 12 . 5

stood . Numbers 22 . 32 , Exodus 4 . 24 , Lamentations 2 . 4

Reciprocal . Judges 19 . 3 . his servant 2 Peter 2 . 16 . the dumb

Verse 23

the ass saw . 2 Kings 6 . 17 , 1 Chronicles 21 . 16 , Daniel 10 . 7 , Acts 22 . 9 , 1 Corinthians 1 . 27-29] , 2 Peter 2 . 16 , Jude 1 . 11

the ass turned . Jeremiah 8 . 7

Reciprocal . Genesis 3 . 24 . a flaming Exodus 4 . 24 . the Lord Joshua 5 . 13 . his sword 2 Peter 2 . 15 . who

Verse 25

crushed Balaam's . Job 5 . 13-15, Isaiah 47 . 12

Verse 26

where was no way . Isaiah 26 . 11 , Hosea 2 . 6

Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 24 . dream

Verse 27

and Balaam's anger . Proverbs 14 . 16 , Proverbs 27 . 3 , Proverbs 27 . 4

Verse 28

the Lord opened . And where is the wonder of all this? If the ass had opened her own mouth , and reproved the rash prophet , we might well be astonished; but when God opens the mouth , an ass can speak as well as a man. It is to no purpose to speak of the construction of the ass's mouth , of the formation of the tongue and jaws being unfit for speaking; for an adequate cause is assigned for this wonderful effect , "The Lord opened the mouth of the ass"; and no one who believes in a God , can doubt of his power to do this and much more. Exodus 4 . 11 , Luke 1 . 37 , 1 Corinthians 1 . 19 , 2 Peter 2 . 16

What have I . Romans 8 . 22

Reciprocal . Genesis 3 . 1 . he said Numbers 22 . 32 . Wherefore Proverbs 12 . 10 . righteous John 11 . 51 . he prophesied 1 Corinthians 9 . 9 . Doth 2 Peter 2 . 15 . who

Verse 29

for now would . Proverbs 12 . 10 , Proverbs 12 . 16 , Ecclesiastes 9 . 3

Reciprocal . Genesis 3 . 1 . he said Genesis 30 . 34 . General Matthew 2 . 16 . when

Verse 30

the ass said . 2 Peter 2 . 16

upon which thou hast ridden . Heb. who hast ridden upon me , ever since I was thine. or , ever since thou wast , unto , etc. 1 Corinthians 1 . 27 , 1 Corinthians 1 . 28

Reciprocal . Numbers 16 . 15 . I have not

Verse 31

opened . Numbers 24 . 4 , *marg. Numbers 24 . 16 , Genesis 21 . 19 , 2 Kings 6 . 17-20 , 1 Chronicles 21 . 16 , Luke 24 . 16 , Luke 24 . 31 , Acts 26 . 18

bowed down . Exodus 34 . 8 , Psalm 9 . 20 , John 18 . 6

fell flat on his face . or , bowed himself

Reciprocal . Numbers 23 . 3 . peradventure Numbers 24 . 3 . whose eyes are open hath said

Verse 32

Wherefore . Numbers 22 . 28 , Deuteronomy 25 . 4 , Psalm 36 . 6 , Psalm 145 . 9 , Psalm 147 . 9 , Jonah 4 . 11

withstand thee . Heb. be an adversary unto thee , Numbers 22 . 22

thy way . Deuteronomy 23 . 4 , Proverbs 28 . 6 , Micah 6 . 5 , Acts 13 . 10 , 2 Peter 2 . 14 , 2 Peter 2 . 15

before me . Numbers 22 . 20 , Numbers 22 . 22 , Numbers 22 . 35 , Exodus 3 . 2-6, Proverbs 14 . 2 , Proverbs 28 . 18

Reciprocal . Genesis 8 . 1 . the cattle Ecclesiastes 11 . 9 . walk Jeremiah 3 . 21 . for they have

Verse 33

surely . Numbers 14 . 37 , Numbers 16 . 33-35 , 1 Kings 13 . 24-28

Verse 34

I Have sinned . Exodus 9 . 27 , Exodus 10 . 16 , Exodus 10 . 17 , 1 Samuel 15 . 24 , 1 Samuel 15 . 30 , 1 Samuel 24 . 17 , 1 Samuel 26 . 21 , 2 Samuel 12 . 13 , Job 34 . 31 , Job 34 . 32 , Psalm 78 . 34 , Matthew 27 . 4 , Matthew 27 . 5

if it displease thee . Heb. be evil in thine eyes , Numbers 22 . 12 , Numbers 11 . 1 , 1 Chronicles 21 . 7 , Proverbs 24 . 18 , *marg.

I will get . Job 34 . 31 , Job 34 . 32

Reciprocal . Genesis 38 . 10 . displeased Genesis 48 . 17 . displeased him Deuteronomy 1 . 41 . We have sinned Joshua 7 . 20 . Indeed 1 Samuel 18 . 8 . displeased him 1 Samuel 29 . 7 . displease 1 Kings 9 . 12 . they pleased him not

Verse 35

Go . Numbers 22 . 20 , Psalm 81 . 12 , Isaiah 37 . 26-29 , 2 Thessalonians 2 . 9-12

I shall speak . Numbers 22 . 20 , Numbers 22 . 21

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 22 . and the angel Numbers 22 . 32 . before me Numbers 23 . 5 . General Numbers 23 . 16 . General Deuteronomy 23 . 5 . Nevertheless Joshua 24 . 10 . General 1 Kings 13 . 18 . an angel 2 Chronicles 18 . 13 . even what my God

Verse 36

went . Genesis 14 . 17 , Genesis 18 . 2 , Genesis 46 . 29 , Exodus 18 . 7 , 1 Samuel 13 . 10 , Acts 28 . 15

the border . Numbers 21 . 13 , Numbers 21 . 14 , Deuteronomy 2 . 24 , Deuteronomy 3 . 8 , Judges 11 . 18 , Isaiah 16 . 2 , Jeremiah 48 . 20

Verse 37

I am not able , Numbers 22 . 16 , Numbers 22 . 17 , Numbers 24 . 11 , Psalm 75 . 6 , Matthew 4 . 8 , Matthew 4 . 9 , Luke 4 . 6 , John 5 . 44

Reciprocal . Numbers 22 . 14 . Balaam refuseth Daniel 2 . 6 . ye shall

Verse 38

have I . Numbers 22 . 18 , Psalm 33 . 10 , Psalm 76 . 10 , Proverbs 19 . 21 , Isaiah 44 . 25 , Isaiah 46 . 10 , Isaiah 47 . 12

the word . Numbers 23 . 16 , Numbers 23 . 26 , Numbers 24 . 13 , 1 Kings 22 . 14 , 2 Chronicles 18 . 13

Reciprocal . Exodus 4 . 15 . and I Numbers 23 . 12 . General Numbers 23 . 20 . I cannot Numbers 24 . 12 . General Judges 7 . 14 . his fellow Jeremiah 1 . 7 . for thou shalt Acts 4 . 20 . we cannot

Verse 39

Kirjathhuzoth . or , a city of streets , Probably Rabbath-Moab , now called Rabba , the capital of the Moabites; and being the royal city , distinguished by its streets. Numbers 22 . 39

Reciprocal . Isaiah 16 . 12 . when

Verse 40

Numbers 23 . 2 , Numbers 23 . 14 , Numbers 23 . 30 , Genesis 31 . 54 , Proverbs 1 . 16

Reciprocal . Jeremiah 48 . 35 . him that offereth

Verse 41

high places . Bamoth baal , "the high places of Baal ," probably the same as Bamoth mentioned in Numbers 21 . 19 , Numbers 21 . 20 , evidently not far from Baal-meon , in the mountains of Abarim . for the Israelites were now encamped in the plains of Moab , which these mountains overlook. Baal , which signifies a lord or governor , was a name common to many idols; and probably here was the same as Chemosh , the god of Moab. Numbers 25 . 2 , Numbers 25 . 3 , Deuteronomy 12 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 11 . 15 , Jeremiah 48 . 35

utmost . Numbers 23 . 13

Reciprocal . Numbers 32 . 38 . Baalmeon Joshua 13 . 17 . Bamothbaal Isaiah 16 . 12 . when Jeremiah 19 . 5 . the high Micah 6 . 5 . Shittim