_A.M. 2552. B.C. 1452._ Balaam's first attempt to curse Israel turned into a blessing, Numbers 23:1. His second attempt with like success, Numbers 23:11. The preparation for a third attempt, Numbers 23:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Build me seven altars_ To the true God, otherwise he would not have mentioned it to God as an argument why he should grant his requests, as he does, Numbers 23:4. And though Balak was averse from God and his worship, yet he would be easily overruled by Balaam, who doubtless told him that it was in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stand by thy burnt-offering_ As in God's presence; as one that offers himself, as well as his sacrifices, to obtain God's favour. _I will go_ To some solitary and convenient place, where I may prevail with God to appear to me. From this passage it is inferred, that in those early times it was custo... [ Continue Reading ]
_His parable_ That is, his oracular and prophetical speech; which he calls a _parable_, because of the weightiness of the matter, and the liveliness of the expressions which is usual in parables. _Jacob_ The posterity of Jacob.... [ Continue Reading ]
_From the hills I behold him_ The hills on which he then stood. This and the former expression may relate not only to the present view he had of the camp of Israel, but to their future settlement in Canaan; wherein they were represented to the eye of his mind, as dwelling securely under the protecti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who can count the dust of Jacob?_ Who can count a people which is like the dust of the earth for number? Thus was God's promise to Abraham. (Genesis 13:16.) _I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth_, already fulfilled. _The number of the fourth part of Israel_ Referring, probably, to the divi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Must I not_ Ought I not? Is it not my duty? Canst thou blame me for it? _Thou shalt not see them all_ Perhaps he thought the sight of all of them might discourage him, or, as it did before, raise his fancy to an admiration of the multitude and felicity of the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_While I meet the Lord_ To consult him and receive an answer from him, if peradventure these renewed sacrifices will prevail with him to comply with our desires.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rise up, Balak_ In these words Balaam calls on the king to receive the message of the great God with reverence and diligent attention; as if he had said, Rouse up thyself and carefully mind what I say.... [ Continue Reading ]
_That he should lie_ Break his promise made to his people for their preservation and benediction. _Neither the son of man that he should repent_ Change his counsels or purposes, as men change theirs, either because they are not able to execute them, or because they are better informed, or their mind... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iniquity in Jacob_ Not such as in the Canaanites: such as he will punish with a curse, with utter destruction. _The Lord is with him_ He hath a favour for this people, and will defend and save them. _The shout of a king_ That is, such joyful and triumphant shouts as those wherewith a people congrat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out of Egypt_ Namely, by a strong hand, and in spite of all their enemies, and therefore it is in vain to seek or hope to overcome them. _He hath the strength of a unicorn He_, Israel, whom God brought out of Egypt, such change of numbers being very common in the Hebrew language. The sense is, Isra... [ Continue Reading ]
_No enchantment against Jacob_ Nor against any that truly believe in Christ! _What hath God wrought!_ How wonderful and glorious are those works which God is now about to do for Israel! These things will be a matter of discourse and admiration to all ages.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a great lion_ As a lion rouseth up himself to fight, or to go out to the prey, so shall Israel stir up themselves to warlike attempts against their enemies. _He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey_ They shall not lay down their arms until they have made an entire conquest of their enemie... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto the top of Peor_ The most famous high-place in all the country of Moab, where, as Seiden conjectures, Baal had a temple, called _Beth-peor_, or _the house of Peor_, (Deuteronomy 3:29,) and was therefore named _Baal-peor._ Balak seems to have chosen this place in hope that, being the residence,... [ Continue Reading ]