Num 23:7-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 23:7-10: 23:7-10 In his first oracle from God (23:5 , 16 ), Balaam rehearsed the circumstances that brought him to Moab, emphasized God’s special relation with Israel, and declared his intention of protecting them from harm. • These poetic oracles illustrate the parallelism of Hebrew poetry. Parallel lines reinforce the content by repeating important concepts in a highly structured pattern. • Aram: Aram-naharaim (Gen 24:10 ) is another name for North Mesopotamia, where Balaam’s home of Pethor was located (Num 22:5 ). • The eastern hills are a line of mountains in North Syria. Summary for Num 23:7-8: 23:7-8 Instead of cursing Israel, the seer noted their special status (cp. Exod 19:5-6 ; Deut 7:6-9 ) and observed that God’s blessing had turned a humble people into a great nation (cp. Gen 12:2-3 ; 13:16 ; 28:14 ). Balaam wished for similar good fortune to come his way (Num 23:10 ).

a23:7-10►

b23:5►

c16►

dGen 24:10►

eNum 22:5►

f23:7-8►

gExod 19:5-6►

hDeut 7:6-9►

iGen 12:2-3►

j13:16►

k28:14►

lNum 23:10►

‏ Numbers 23:7-8

Summary for Num 23:7-10: 23:7-10 ^a In his first oracle from God (23:5 ^b, 16 ^c), Balaam rehearsed the circumstances that brought him to Moab, emphasized God’s special relation with Israel, and declared his intention of protecting them from harm.

• These poetic oracles illustrate the parallelism of Hebrew poetry. Parallel lines reinforce the content by repeating important concepts in a highly structured pattern.

• Aram: Aram-naharaim (Gen 24:10 ^d) is another name for North Mesopotamia, where Balaam’s home of Pethor was located (Num 22:5 ^e).

• The eastern hills are a line of mountains in North Syria.
Summary for Num 23:7-8: 23:7-8 ^f Instead of cursing Israel, the seer noted their special status (cp. Exod 19:5-6 ^g; Deut 7:6-9 ^h) and observed that God’s blessing had turned a humble people into a great nation (cp. Gen 12:2-3 ⁱ; 13:16 ^j; 28:14 ^k). Balaam wished for similar good fortune to come his way (Num 23:10 ^l).