Num 24:1 | Clarke | STEP | Balaam, finding that God was determined to bless Israel, seeks no longer for enchantments, . The Spirit of God coming upon him, he delivers a most important prophetic parable, . Balak's anger is kindled against him, and he commands him to depart to his own country, , . Balaam vindicates his conduct, , ; and delivers a prophecy relative to the future destruction of Moab by the Israelites, ; also of Edom, , ; of the Amalekites, ; and of the Kenites, , . Predicts also the destruction of Asshur and Eber, by the naval power of Chittim, which should afterwards be itself destroyed, , . Balaam and Balak separate, . Verse 1 He went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments - We have already had occasion to observe that the proper meaning of the word נחש nachash is not easily ascertained; see (note), and (note). Here the plural נחשים nechashim is rendered enchantments; but it probably means no more than the knowledge of future events. When Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he therefore thought it unnecessary to apply for any farther prophetic declarations of God's will as he had done before, for he could safely infer every good to this people, from the evident disposition of God towards them.

Numbers 24:1

Introduction

Balaam, finding that God was determined to bless Israel, seeks no longer for enchantments, Num 24:1. The Spirit of God coming upon him, he delivers a most important prophetic parable, Num 24:2-9. Balak's anger is kindled against him, and he commands him to depart to his own country, Num 24:10, Num 24:11. Balaam vindicates his conduct, Num 24:12, Num 24:13; and delivers a prophecy relative to the future destruction of Moab by the Israelites, Num 24:14-17; also of Edom, Num 24:18, Num 24:19; of the Amalekites, Num 24:20; and of the Kenites, Num 24:21, Num 24:22. Predicts also the destruction of Asshur and Eber, by the naval power of Chittim, which should afterwards be itself destroyed, Num 24:23, Num 24:24. Balaam and Balak separate, Num 24:25.

Verse 1

He went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments - We have already had occasion to observe that the proper meaning of the word נחש nachash is not easily ascertained; see Num 21:9 (note), and Gen 3:1 (note). Here the plural נחשים nechashim is rendered enchantments; but it probably means no more than the knowledge of future events. When Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he therefore thought it unnecessary to apply for any farther prophetic declarations of God's will as he had done before, for he could safely infer every good to this people, from the evident disposition of God towards them.