Numbers 23

Numbers 23:1

Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”

Numbers 23:1 · BSB

Numbers 23:2

So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Numbers 23:2 · BSB

Numbers 23:3

“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,

Numbers 23:3 · BSB

went to an high place or , went solitary

Numbers 23:4

and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”

Numbers 23:4 · BSB

Numbers 23:5

Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”

Numbers 23:5 · BSB

Numbers 23:6

So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.

Numbers 23:6 · BSB

Numbers 23:7

And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’

Numbers 23:7 · BSB

parable The word mashal , which as a verb is to rule , have authority , and also to compare , as a noun signifies whatever is expressed in parabolic or figurative language. All these oracular speeches of Balaam are in hemistich metre in the original. They are highly dignified and sublime; and may be considered as immediate poetic productions of the Spirit of God . Numbers 24 . 2.

Numbers 23:8

How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?

Numbers 23:8 · BSB

Numbers 23:9

For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.

Numbers 23:9 · BSB

the people They shall ever be a distinct nation. This prophecy has been literally fulfilled , through a period of 3 ,300 years , to the present day.

Numbers 23:10

Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

Numbers 23:10 · BSB

the dust i.e. The posterity of Jacob , which was to be so numerous as to resemble the dust.

me Heb. my soul , or , my life

Numbers 23:11

Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”

Numbers 23:11 · BSB

Numbers 23:12

But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

Numbers 23:12 · BSB

Numbers 23:13

Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.”

Numbers 23:13 · BSB

Numbers 23:14

So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Numbers 23:14 · BSB

Numbers 23:15

Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”

Numbers 23:15 · BSB

Numbers 23:16

And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”

Numbers 23:16 · BSB

Numbers 23:17

So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked.

Numbers 23:17 · BSB

Numbers 23:18

Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.

Numbers 23:18 · BSB

Numbers 23:19

God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19 · BSB

Numbers 23:20

I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.

Numbers 23:20 · BSB

Numbers 23:21

He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them.

Numbers 23:21 · BSB

Numbers 23:22

God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox.

Numbers 23:22 · BSB

unicorn The reaim , most probably denotes the rhinoceros , so called from the horn on its nose. In size he is only exceeded by the elephant; and in strength and power inferior to none. He is at least twelve feet in length , from the snout to the tail; six or seven feet in height; and the circumference of the body is nearly equal to his length. He is particularly distinguished from all other animals by the remarkable and offensive weapon he carries on his nose; which is very hard horn , solid throughout , directed forward. He principally feeds upon large succulent plants , prickly shrubs , and branches; and delights in marshy places.

Numbers 23:23

For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’

Numbers 23:23 · BSB

against or , in

Numbers 23:24

Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”

Numbers 23:24 · BSB

Numbers 23:25

Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”

Numbers 23:25 · BSB

Numbers 23:26

But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”

Numbers 23:26 · BSB

Numbers 23:27

“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”

Numbers 23:27 · BSB

Numbers 23:28

And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

Numbers 23:28 · BSB

Numbers 23:29

Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”

Numbers 23:29 · BSB

Numbers 23:30

So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Numbers 23:30 · BSB