Num 23:3 | NETfull | STEP | Balaam said to Balak, “Station yourself by your burnt offering, and I will go off; perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever he reveals to me I will tell you.” Then he went to a deserted height.

Numbers 23:3

3 Balaam said to Balak, “Station yourself ^{▼▼ The verb הִתְיַצֵּב (hityatsev) means “to take a stand, station oneself.” It is more intentional than simply standing by something. He was to position himself by the sacrifice as Balaam withdrew to seek the oracle.} by your burnt offering, and I will go off; perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever he reveals to me ^{▼▼ Heb “and the word of what he shows me.” The noun is in construct, and so the clause that follows functions as a noun clause in the genitive. The point is that the word will consist of divine revelation.} I will tell you.” ^{▼▼ The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive. This clause is dependent on the clause that precedes it.} Then he went to a deserted height. ^{▼▼ He went up to a bald spot, to a barren height. The statement underscores the general belief that such tops were the closest things to the gods. On such heights people built their shrines and temples.}