Bible Commentaries
Numbers 22

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.

Verse 1

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, Psalms 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, Psalms 105:24

face: Heb. eye

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

Verse 6

curse me: Numbers 23:7, Numbers 23:8, Numbers 24:9, Genesis 12:3, Genesis 27:29, Deuteronomy 23:4, Joshua 24:9, 1 Samuel 17:43, Nehemiah 13:2, Psalms 109:17, Psalms 109:18

I wot: 1 Kings 22:6, 1 Kings 22:8, 1 Kings 22:13, Psalms 109:28, Proverbs 26:2, Isaiah 47:12, Isaiah 47:13, Ezekiel 13:6, Acts 8:9, Acts 8:10, Acts 16:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:10 - wisely Numbers 22:17 - come Numbers 23:23 - no enchantment Numbers 24:10 - I called Psalms 64:5 - encourage Acts 3:17 - wot

Verse 7

rewards of divination: 1 Samuel 9:7, 1 Samuel 9:8, Isaiah 56:11, Ezekiel 13:19, Micah 3:11, Romans 16:18, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, Titus 1:11, 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:4 - elders Numbers 22:15 - princes Numbers 22:19 - General Deuteronomy 23:4 - because they hired Judges 16:18 - brought money 1 Kings 11:18 - Midian 2 Kings 5:5 - and took Daniel 2:6 - ye shall Daniel 5:7 - be clothed Acts 1:18 - with

Verse 8

Numbers 22:19, Numbers 22:20, Numbers 12:6, Numbers 23:12, Jeremiah 12:2, Ezekiel 33:31

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, Psalms 144:15, Psalms 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 Psalms 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, Psalms 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, Psalms 33:10, Psalms 33:11, Psalms 78:30, Psalms 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, Psalms 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, Psalms 36:6, Psalms 145:9, Psalms 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, Psalms 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, Psalms 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, Psalms 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, Psalms 33:10, Psalms 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