Numbers 22

Numbers 22:1

children = sons.

plains of Moab: i.e. which had belonged to Moab.

Numbers 22:2

done to the Amorites. Compare Numbers 21:35.

Numbers 22:4

all that are round about us: Hebrew all our circuits. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6.

Numbers 22:5

Balaam. So written after the Greek. In Hebrew bis name is Bil’am. Compare Joshua 13:22 with Joshua 24:9, Joshua 24:10; 2 Peter 2:15, 2 Peter 2:16. He was a spiritist or medium. He is identified by Sayce with Bela, Genesis 36:31, Genesis 36:32, where Moses incorporates a list of Edomite kings. According to the Tel-el-Amama tablets he was a Hittite chieftain, who established a kingdom for himself: and he died fighting against Israel by the side of his Midianite allies (Numbers 31:8. Joshua 13:22).

his people: i.e. whom he had banded together and led. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “sons of Ammon”.

Numbers 22:6

curse. Hebrew. ’arar. To wish or speak evil against, as to effect rather than as to the act.

wot = know.

Numbers 22:7

rewards of divination. Hebrew “divinations”. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, put for the money which procures it. Compare 2 Peter 2:15.

Numbers 22:8

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Numbers 22:9

God . . . said. Note the change to ’Elohim. said. Only four times: in verses: Numbers 9:12, Numbers 9:20 in connection with Balaam. See App-4, and notes on Numbers 1:1; Numbers 3:40.

Numbers 22:11

there is a People. Hebrew = the People.

now. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Septuagint, read “now therefore”.

curse. Hebrew. kabab, to pierce with words. Note that this word is found only in Balak’s and Balaam’s mouths. Here, first occurrence, and later in seven other places. See note on Numbers 23:8.

peradventure = perhaps.

Numbers 22:12

not go. This is absolute. Compare Numbers 22:20, where the permission is conditional. See Structure above.

thou shalt not curse. A special various reading called Sevir (see App-34), with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “neither shalt thou”.

Numbers 22:13

Balaam . . . said. Note what he suppressed,

Numbers 22:14

they . . . said. Note what they suppressed.

Numbers 22:17

promote thee unto very great honour. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for the emphasis rightly shown in the translation. Hebrew an honouring I will honour thee. See note on Genesis 26:28.

Numbers 22:20

If the men come to call thee. This was the condition with which Balaam did not comply. See Numbers 22:21.

Numbers 22:21

went. Without waiting for the condition given by the LORD in Numbers 22:20. Hence God’s anger. See Numbers 22:22.

Numbers 22:22

God’s anger. Note ’Elohim, not Jehovah.

went = was really going. Emphasized to show that even this condition was not meant as a condition, but was to be taken rather as irony. It shows also Balaam’s determination to go, whether or no.

stood = stationed himself.

Numbers 22:23

His sword drawn. As in 1 Chronicles 21:16. Balaam was going to have Israel killed with the sword.

Numbers 22:24

path = a narrow or hollow way. Hebrew. mish’ol. Occurs only here.

wall. Especially the wall of a vineyard. Compare Isaiah 6:8.

Numbers 22:26

narrow. Hebrew. zarar. Occurs only here, Proverbs 23:27, and Isaiah 28:20.

Numbers 22:28

opened the mouth, &c. Hebrew. patah. Compare Numbers 22:31. This was Jehovah’s work (as in Numbers 22:31). But how could Satan open the mouth of the serpent, which has no organs of speech? See Genesis 3:1, &c, and App-19.

Numbers 22:31

opened = uncover. Hebrew. galah. Compare Numbers 22:28.

Numbers 22:32

said. See note on Numbers 3:40.

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

to withstand = to be an adversary, as in Numbers 22:22.

perverse. Hebrew. ’avil. Occurs only here and Job 16:11 (ungodly).

Numbers 22:33

thee . . . her. Note the emphasis on these pronouns.

Numbers 22:34

sinned. Hebrew. chata. App-44.

Numbers 22:35

Go. Jehovah now overrules the evil for Israel’s good.

men = Hebrew, plural of ’ish, or ’enosh. App-14.

only the word. Permission limited.

Numbers 22:36

coast = border.

Numbers 22:37

Did I not earnestly send. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), Hebrew “a sending did I not send”. See note on Genesis 26:28.

am I not able . . . ? Vain boast! Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

Numbers 22:38

Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6).

have I. ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6).

God = ’Elohim. Not Jehovah. Note this, and see App-4.

Numbers 22:41

the utmost part = the extremity of the camp.