Numbers 23:13

_AND BALAK SAID UNTO HIM, COME, I PRAY THEE, WITH ME UNTO ANOTHER PLACE, FROM WHENCE THOU MAYEST SEE THEM: THOU SHALT SEE BUT THE UTMOST PART OF THEM, AND SHALT NOT SEE THEM ALL: AND CURSE ME THEM FROM THENCE._ Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place. Balak was surprised and disappointed at this unexpected eulogy on Israel, but still hoped that if Balaam saw that people from a different point of observation he would give utterance to different feelings. THOU SHALT SEE BUT THE UTMOST PART OF THEM, AND SHALT NOT SEE THEM ALL, х_ 'EPEC_ (H657) _ QAATSEEHUW _ (H7097)] - the end of their extremity; i:e., a limited portion of them. Of course, as posts of observation, there must have been a difference between this and the former height (Numbers 22:41); but this di

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 magical power in the sight, as if the eyes contributed partly to the efficacy of their incantations. It appears from profane writers that this was formerly a commonly received opinion, that the gaze of the enchanter had much effect upon his art. Balak, therefore, removes his sorcerer to another place, that there he might the better exercise his divinations. There is some ambiguity in the words. Some render them thus, “Come to another place, that thou mayest see from thence, (160) mayest see a part, and not the whole,” as if Balak feared that the multitude itself frightened Balaam, or diminished the...

11-30 Balak was angry with Balaam. Thus a confession of God's overruling power is extorted from a wicked prophet, to the confusion of a wicked prince. A second time the curse is turned into a blessing; and this blessing is both larger and stronger than the former. Men change their minds, and break their words; but God never changes his mind, and therefore never recalls his promise. And when in Scripture he is said to repent, it does not mean any change of his mind; but only a change of his way. There was sin in Jacob, and God saw it; but there was not such as might provoke him to give them up to ruin. If the Lord sees that we trust in his mercy, and accept of his salvation; that we indulge no secret lust, and continue not in rebellion, but endeavour to serve and glorify him; we may be sure that he looks upon us as accepted in Christ, that our sins are all pardoned. Oh the wonders of pro...

Verse Numbers 23:13. _THOU SHALT SEE BUT THE UTMOST PART OF THEM_] Balak thought that the sight of such an immense camp had intimidated Balaam, and this he might gather from what he said in the tenth verse: _Who can count the dust of Jacob_, c. he thought therefore that he might get Balaam to curse them in _detached parties_, till the _whole camp_ should be devoted to destruction by successive execrations....

Balak seems to hope that the prophet’s words in Numbers 23:10 reflected the impression conveyed by the scene before him at the moment of the augury; and so that the sight of a mere few straggling Israelites in the utmost part of the camp might induce a different estimate of their resources and prospects....

NUMBERS 23:1 BUILD ME HERE SEVEN ALTARS. According to the common opinion of the heathen, it was necessary to propitiate with sacrifices the God with whom they had to do, and if possible to secure his favourable consideration on their side. The number seven was especially connected with the revelation of the tree God, the Creator of the world, and was probably observed here for this reason. The sacrifices were offered no doubt to Jehovah. NUMBERS 23:3 PERADVENTURE THE LORD WILL COME TO MEET me. It might be concluded from Numbers 24:1 that Balaam went only to look for "auguries," _i.e; _for such natural signs in the flight of birds and the like a

AND BALAK SAID UNTO HIM,.... Seemingly satisfied with his answer, however, he could not help himself, and was willing to make the best of him he could, and try what he could do with him another time and elsewhere: COME, I PRAY THEE, WITH ME UNTO ANOTHER PLACE, FROM WHENCE THOU MAYEST SEE THEM; for he had a mighty notion that both the sight of the people, and the place from whence they were seen, would greatly contribute to answer the end he had in view, cursing the people: THOU SHALL SEE BUT THE UTMOST PART OF THEM, AND SHALT NOT SEE THEM ALL; for he thought, either that he was so charmed with so glorious a sight as the regular encampment of such a body of people was, that he could not find in his heart to curse them; or that he was so terrified at the sight of such a vast number of people, that he dared not attempt it; and therefore Balak proposed to have him to a place where he could...

THE PARABLES OF BALAAM Chapter S 23-24 _ 1. The first parable (Numbers 23:1)_ 2. Balak's surprise and Balaam's answer (Numbers 23:11) 3. At Zophim (Numbers 23:13) 4. The second parable (Numbers 23:18) 5. Balak's request and Balaam's reply (Numbers 23:25) 6. Balaam's third parable (Numbers 24:1) 7. Balak's anger and Balaam's firmness ...

BALAK'S SACRIFICES PRELIMINARY TO BALAAM'S SECOND ORACLE. Balak's disappointment at Balaam's first utterance leads him to take Balaam to the field of Zophim (or the watchmen) in the hope that the different locality might dispose God to accept his renewed sacrifices and to grant his wishes. Some places were thought to be regarded by a divinity with greater favour than others (1 Samuel 5:8 *). For Pisgah, see Numbers 21:20 *. NUMBERS 23:13. SHALT NOT SEE THEM ALL: it might be expected that Balak on the second occasion would show Balaam the whole of Israel, and not a part only (as on the first); and these words may have been introduced by the editor because of the third occasion in...

Balak was angry that Jehovah did not put a curse into Balaam's mouth, and begged him to try again on another spot. The seven-fold sacrifice was again offered....