Num 22-25, 31:16, Deu 23:4-5, Jos 24:9-10, Rev 2:14 | TSK | STEP | Balak's first message for Balaam is refused. His second message obtains him. An angel would have slain him, if he had not been saved by his ass. Balak entertains him. the children. on this side.

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 MSS. (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 De 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.

23:7; De 23:4

they cover.

Ge 13:16; Ex 1:7-10; Ps 105:24

face. Heb. eye.

curse me.

23:7,8; 24:9; Ge 12:3; 27:29; De 23:4; Jos 24:9; 1Sa 17:43; Ne 13:2

Ps 109:17,18

I wot.

1Ki 22:6,8,13; Ps 109:28; Pr 26:2; Isa 47:12,13; Eze 13:6

Ac 8:9,10; 16:16

rewards of divination.

1Sa 9:7,8; Isa 56:11; Eze 13:19; Mic 3:11; Ro 16:18; 1Ti 6:9,10

Tit 1:11; 2Pe 2:15; Jude 1:11

19,20; 12:6; 23:12; Jer 12:2; Eze 33:31

God.

20; Ge 20:3; 31:24; 41:25; Da 2:45; 4:31,32; Mt 7:22; 24:24

Joh 11:51

What men.

Ge 3:9-11; 4:9; 16:8; Ex 4:2; 2Ki 20:14,15

4-6

able to overcome them. Heb. prevail in fighting againstthem.

Balaam, Thou shalt.

20; Job 33:15-17; Mt 27:19

thou shalt not curse.

19; 23:3,13-15,19,23; Mic 6:5

for they.

23:20; Ge 12:2; 22:16-18; De 23:5; 33:29; Ps 144:15; 146:5

Ro 4:6,7; 11:29; Eph 1:3

for the Lord.

14; De 23:5

Balaam refuseth.

13,37

princes.

7,8; Ac 10:7,8

Let nothing, etc. Heb. Be not thou letted from, etc.

I will promote.

24:11; De 16:9; Es 5:11; 7:9; Mt 4:8,9; 16:26

and I will do.

23:2,3,29,30; Mt 14:7

come.

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 Æschines calls [diorizomenen aran ,] "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.

If Balak.

24:13; Tit 1:16

I cannot.

23:26; 24:13; 1Ki 22:14; 2Ch 18:13; Da 5:17; Ac 8:20

7,8; 1Ti 6:9,10; 2Pe 2:3,15; Jude 1:11

God.

If the men.

1Sa 8:5-9; 12:12-19; Ps 81:12; Eze 14:2-5; 2Th 2:9-12

but yet.

35; 23:12,26; 24:13; Ps 33:10,11; 78:30,31; Isa 37:29; Ho 13:11

Pr 1:15,16

God's.

2Ki 10:20; Ho 1:4

and the angel.

35; Ge 48:15,16; Ex 3:2-6; Ho 12:4,5

stood.

32; Ex 4:24; La 2:4

the ass saw.

2Ki 6:17; 1Ch 21:16; Da 10:7; Ac 22:9; 1Co 1:27-29; 2Pe 2:16

Jude 1:11

the ass turned.

Jer 8:7

crushed Balaam's.

Job 5:13-15; Isa 47:12

where was no way.

Isa 26:11; Ho 2:6

and Balaam's anger.

Pr 14:16; 27:3,4

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.

Ex 4:11; Lu 1:37; 1Co 1:19; 2Pe 2:16

What have I.

Ro 8:22

for now would.

Pr 12:10,16; Ec 9:3

the ass said.

2Pe 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.

1Co 1:27,28

opened.

24:4; *marg:

24:16; Ge 21:19; 2Ki 6:17-20; 1Ch 21:16; Lu 24:16,31; Ac 26:18

bowed down.

Ex 34:8; Ps 9:20; Joh 18:6

fell flat on his face. or, bowed himself.

Wherefore.

28; De 25:4; Ps 36:6; 145:9; 147:9; Jon 4:11

withstand thee. Heb. be an adversary unto thee.

thy way.

De 23:4; Pr 28:6; Mic 6:5; Ac 13:10; 2Pe 2:14,15

before me.

20,22,35; Ex 3:2-6; Pr 14:2; 28:18

surely.

14:37; 16:33-35; 1Ki 13:24-28

I Have sinned.

Ex 9:27; 10:16,17; 1Sa 15:24,30; 24:17; 26:21; 2Sa 12:13

Job 34:31,32; Ps 78:34; Mt 27:4,5

if it displease thee. Heb. be evil in thine eyes.

12; 11:1; 1Ch 21:7; Pr 24:18; *margins

I will get.

Job 34:31,32

Go.

20; Ps 81:12; Isa 37:26-29; 2Th 2:9-12

I shall speak.

20,21

went.

Ge 14:17; 18:2; 46:29; Ex 18:7; 1Sa 13:10; Ac 28:15

the border.

21:13,14; De 2:24; 3:8; Jud 11:18; Isa 16:2; Jer 48:20

I am not able.

16,17; 24:11; Ps 75:6; Mt 4:8,9; Lu 4:6; Joh 5:44

have I.

18; Ps 33:10; 76:10; Pr 19:21; Isa 44:25; 46:10; 47:12

the word.

23:16,26; 24:13; 1Ki 22:14; 2Ch 18:13

Kirjath-huzoth. 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.

23:2,14,30; Ge 31:54; Pr 1:16

high places.{Bamoth baal,} "the high places of Baal," probably the same as Bamoth mentioned in ch. 21.19, 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.

25:2,3; De 12:2; 2Ch 11:15; Jer 48:35

utmost.

23:13

Numbers 23

1 Balak's sacrifices.

7 Balaam's parables.

13 Balak's sacrifices.

18 Balaam's parables.

25 Balak's sacrifices.

Build me.

29; Eze 33:31; Jude 1:11

seven altars.

Ex 20:24; 27:1-8; 1Sa 15:22; 2Ki 18:22; Ps 50:8,9; Pr 15:8

Isa 1:11-15; Mt 23:14

seven oxen.

29:32; 1Ch 15:26; 2Ch 29:21; Job 42:8; Eze 45:23

offered.

14,30

Stand.

burnt.

Ge 8:20; 22:2,7,8,13; Ex 18:12; Le 1:1

peradventure.

15; 22:8,9,31-35; 24:1

went to an high place. or, went solitary.

God.

16; 22:9,20

I have prepared.

1; Isa 58:3,4; Mt 20:12; Lu 18:12; Joh 16:2; Ro 3:27; Eph 2:9

16; 22:35; De 18:18; Pr 16:1,9; Isa 51:16; 59:21; Jer 1:9

Lu 12:12; Joh 11:51

he took.

18; 24:3,15,23; Job 27:1; 29:1; Ps 78:2; Eze 17:2; 20:49; Mic 2:4

Hab 2:6; Mt 13:33,35; Mr 12:12

parable.The word {mashal,} which as a verb is to rule, have authority, and also to compare, as a noun signifies whatever is expressed in parabolic or figurative language. All these oracular speeches of Balaam are in hemistich metre in the original. They are highly dignified and sublime; and may be considered as immediate poetic productions of the Spirit of God. (ch. 24:2.)

Aram.

22:5; Ge 10:22; 28:2,7; De 23:4

Come.

22:6,11,17; Pr 26:2

defy Israel.

1Sa 17:10,25,26,36,45; 2Sa 21:21; 23:9

20,23; Isa 44:25; 47:12,13

the people.They shall ever be a distinct nation. This prophecy has been literally fulfilled, through a period of 3,300 years, to the present day.

dwell alone.

Ex 19:5,6; 33:16; De 33:28; Es 3:8; 2Co 6:17; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 2:9

shall not.

De 32:8; Ezr 9:2; Jer 46:28; Am 9:9; Ro 15:8-10; Eph 2:12-14

can count.

Ge 13:16; 22:17; 28:14

the dust. i.e.,The posterity of Jacob, which was to be so numerous as to resemble the dust.

the fourth.

2:9,16,24,31

me. Heb. my soul, or, my life. the death.

Ps 37:37; 116:15; Pr 14:32; Isa 57:1,2; Lu 2:29,30; 1Co 3:21,22

1Co 15:53-57; 2Co 5:1; Php 1:21-23; 2Ti 4:6-8; 2Pe 1:13-15

Re 14:13

7,8; 22:11,17; 24:10; Ps 109:17-20

20,26; 22:38; 24:13; Pr 26:25; Ro 16:18; Tit 1:16

unto.

1Ki 20:23,28; Mic 6:5

utmost.

22:41

and curse me.

Jos 24:9; Ps 109:17; Jas 3:9,10

Pisgah. or, the hill.

21:20; De 3:27; *marg:

De 4:49; 34:1; *marg:

built seven.

1,2,29; Isa 1:10,11; 46:6; Ho 12:11

3; 22:8

5; 22:35; 24:1

What.

26; 1Sa 3:17; Jer 37:17

Rise up.

Jud 3:20

God.

1Sa 15:29; Ps 89:35; Hab 2:3; Mal 3:6; Lu 21:33; Ro 11:29

Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18; Jas 1:17

or hath he.

1Ch 17:17; Mic 7:20

he hath.

22:12; Ge 12:2; 22:17

I cannot.

22:18,38; Joh 10:27-29; Ro 8:38,39; 1Pe 1:5

hath not.

Ps 103:12; Isa 1:18; 38:17; Jer 50:20; Ho 14:2-4; Mic 7:18-20

Ro 4:7,8; 6:14; 8:1; 2Co 5:19

the Lord.

Ex 13:21; 29:45,46; 33:14-16; 34:9; Jud 6:13; 2Ch 13:12; Ps 23:4

Ps 46:7,11; Isa 8:10; 12:6; 41:10; Eze 48:35; Mt 1:23; 2Co 6:16

the shout.

Ps 47:5-7; 89:15,18; 97:1; 118:15; Isa 33:22; Lu 19:37,38; 2Co 2:14

God.

22:5; 24:8; Ex 9:16; 14:18; 20:2; Ps 68:35

the strength.

De 33:17; Job 39:10,11; Ps 22:21

unicorn.The {reaim,} most probably denotes the rhinoceros, so called from the horn on its nose. In size he is only exceeded by the elephant; and in strength and power inferior to none. He is at least twelve feet in length, from the snout to the tail; six or seven feet in height; and the circumference of the body is nearly equal to his length. He is particularly distinguished from all other animals by the remarkable and offensive weapon he carries on his nose; which is very hard horn, solid throughout, directed forward. He principally feeds upon large succulent plants, prickly shrubs, and branches; and delights in marshy places.

no enchantment.

22:6; 24:1; Ge 3:15; Mt 12:25,27; 16:18; Lu 10:18,19; Ro 16:20

Re 12:9

against. or, in. according.

Ps 44:1-3; 136:13-20; Isa 63:9-12; Da 9:15; Mic 6:4,5; 7:15

What hath.

Ps 31:19; 64:9; 126:2,3; Isa 41:4; Joh 11:47; Ac 4:16; 5:12,14

Ac 10:38; 15:12; Ga 1:23,24; 1Th 1:8,9

as a great.

24:8,9; Ge 49:9; De 33:20; Ps 17:12; Pr 30:30; Isa 31:4; Am 3:8

Re 5:5

he shall.

24:17; Ge 49:27; Da 2:44; Mic 5:8,9; Zec 10:4,5; 12:6; Re 19:11-21

Ps 2:1-3

12,13; 22:18,38; 24:12,13; 1Ki 22:14; 2Ch 18:13; Ac 4:19,20; 5:29

Come.

peradventure.

19,20; Job 23:13; Pr 19:21; 21:30; Isa 14:27; 46:10,11; Mal 3:6

Ro 11:29

Jeshimon.

21:20

1,2

Numbers 24

1 Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of Israel.

10 Balak, in anger, dismisses him.

15 He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations.

saw.

22:13; 23:20; 31:16; 1Sa 24:20; 26:2,25; Re 2:14

at other times.

23:3,15

to seek for enchantments. Heb. to the meeting ofenchantments.

23:23

abiding.

5; 2:2-34; 23:9,10; So 6:4,10

the spirit.

11:25-29; 1Sa 10:10; 19:20,23; 2Ch 15:1; Mt 7:22; 10:4,8; Lu 10:20

Joh 11:49-51

he took up.

23:7,18

whose eyes are open hath said. Heb. who had his eyes shut,but now opened.

4,16; 22:31

saw.

12:6; Ge 15:12; Ps 89:19; Da 8:26,27; Ac 10:10,19; 22:17

2Co 12:1-4

falling.

22:31; 1Sa 19:24; Eze 1:28; Da 8:17,18; 10:15,16; Re 1:10,17

as gardens.

Ge 2:8-10; 13:10; So 4:12-15; 6:11; Isa 58:11; Jer 31:12; Joe 3:18

as the trees.{Ahalim,} "lign-aloe trees." This tree, which grows in the East Indies, is described as being eight or ten feet in height, with a stem the thickness of a man's thigh. At the top grows a large tuft of jagged and thick leaves, thick and indented, broad at the bottom, but growing narrower towards the point, and about four feet in length. The blossoms are red, intermingled with yellow, and double like cloves; from which comes a red and white fruit, of the size of a pea, oblong and triangular, with three apartments filled with seed. The tree has a very beautiful appearance; and a forest of them is said to bear a resemblance to a numerous encampment.

Ps 1:3; Jer 17:18

which the.

Ps 104:16; Isa 41:19

as cedar.

Ps 92:12-14; Eze 31:3,4; 47:12

pour.

Ps 68:26; Pr 5:16-18; Isa 48:1

many waters.

Ps 93:3,4; Jer 51:13; Re 17:1,15

his king.

Ezr 4:20; Ps 2:6-10; 18:43; Joh 1:49; Php 2:10,11; Re 19:16

Agag.

1Sa 15:8,9,32,33

his kingdom.

2Sa 5:12; 1Ki 4:21; 1Ch 14:2; Isa 2:2; 9:7; Da 2:44; Re 11:15

God.

21:5; 23:22

shall eat.

14:9; 23:24; De 7:1

break.

Ps 2:9; Isa 38:13; Jer 50:17; Da 6:24

pierce.

De 32:23,42; Ps 21:12; 45:5; Jer 50:9

couched.

Ge 49:9; Job 38:39,40

who shall.

23:24; Job 41:10; Ps 2:12

Blessed.

Ge 12:3; 27:29; Ps 122:6; Mt 25:40,45; Ac 9:5

he smote.

Job 27:23; Eze 21:14,17; 22:13

I called.

22:6,11,17; 23:11; De 23:4,5; Jos 24:9,10; Ne 13:2

I thought.

22:17,37

the Lord.

Mt 19:28-30; Ac 8:20; Php 3:8; Heb 11:24-26; 1Pe 5:2,3; 2Jo 1:8

22:18,38

I will advertise.

17; 31:7-18; Mic 6:5; Re 2:10,14

the latter.

Ge 49:1; Isa 24:22; Jer 48:47; 49:39; Da 2:28; 10:14; Ho 3:5

Ac 2:17; 2Ti 3:1

3,4; 23:7,18; Job 27:1; Mt 13:35

4; 2Sa 23:1,2; 1Co 8:1; 13:2

I shall see him.The Targum of Onkelos translates this passage in the following manner: "I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but he is not near. When a king shall arise from the house of Jacob, and the Messiah be anointed from the house of Israel; he shall slay the princes of Moab, and rule over all the children of men." The marginal references will direct the reader to the fulfilment of these remarkable prophecies.

Job 19:25-27; Zec 12:10; Jude 1:11,14,15; Re 1:7

a Star.

Mt 2:2-9; Lu 1:78; 2Pe 1:19; Re 22:16

a Sceptre.

Ge 49:10; Ps 45:6; 78:70-72; 110:2; Isa 9:7; Lu 1:32,33; Heb 1:8

smite the corners of Moab. or, smite through the princes ofMoab.

1Sa 14:38; *marg:

Zec 10:4

Moab.

2Sa 8:2; 2Ki 3:5,26,27; 1Ch 18:2; Jer 48:45

all the children.

Ge 4:25,26; 5:3-29

Seth.

Ps 72:8-11; Re 11:15

Ge 27:29,40; 2Sa 8:14; Ps 60:1; *title

Ps 60:8-12; Isa 34:5; 63:1; Am 9:12

Of Jacob.

Ge 49:10; Ps 2:1-12; 72:10,11; Isa 11:10; Mic 5:2,4; Mt 28:18

1Co 15:25; Eph 1:20-22; Php 2:10,11; Heb 1:8; 1Pe 3:22; Re 19:16

shall destroy.

Ps 21:7-10; Mt 25:46; Lu 19:12,27

the first of the nations. or, the first of the nations thatwarred against Israel.

Ex 17:8,16

his latter end.

Jud 6:3; 1Sa 14:48; 15:3-8; 27:8,9; 30:1,17; 1Ch 4:43; Es 3:1

Es 7:9,10; 9:14

shall be that he perish for ever. or, shall be even todestruction.

Ex 17:14; 1Sa 15:3,8

the Kenites.

Ge 15:19; Jud 1:16; Job 29:18

the Kenite. Heb. Kain. until Asshur shall carry thee awaycaptive. or, how long shall it be ere Asshur carry thee away captive?

Ge 10:11; Ezr 4:2; Ps 83:8; Ho 14:3

when God.

23:23; 2Ki 5:1; Mal 3:2

Chittim.

Ge 10:4; Isa 23:1; Da 7:19,20; 8:5-8,21; 10:20; 11:30

and shall afflict Eber.

Ge 10:21-25; 14:13; Da 9:26,27; Mt 24:15; Lu 20:24; 23:29-31

Joh 11:48

and he also.

Da 2:35,45; 7:23-26; 11:45; Re 18:2-24

11; 31:8; Jos 13:22

Numbers 25

1 Israel at Shittim commit whoredom and idolatry.

6 Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi.

10 God therefore gives him an everlasting priesthood.

16 The Midianites are to be vexed.

Shittim.

33:49; Jos 2:1; 3:1; Mic 6:5

the people.

31:15,16; Ec 7:26; 1Co 10:8

they called.

Ex 34:15,16; Jos 22:17; 1Ki 11:1-8; Ps 106:28; Ho 9:10; 1Co 10:20

1Co 10:27,28; 2Co 6:16,17; Re 2:14

bowed.

Ex 20:5; 23:24; Jos 23:7,16; 1Ki 19:18

joined.

5; De 4:3,4; Jos 22:17; Ps 106:28,29; Ho 9:10

the anger.

Jos 22:17; Jud 2:14,20; Ps 90:11; Jer 17:4

all the heads.

14,15,18; Ex 18:25; De 4:3; Jos 22:17; 23:2

and hang.Dr. Kennicott remarks, that the Samaritan and Hebrew texts must be united to make the sense of this verse complete: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto all the heads of the people; and let them slay the men that were joined to Baal-peor; and hang them up before the Lord, against the sun," etc.

De 13:6-9,13,15; 21:23; 2Sa 21:6,9; Es 7:9,10

that the fierce.

11; De 13:17; Jos 7:25,26; Ps 85:3,4; Jon 3:9

judges.

Ex 18:21,25,26

Slay ye.

Ex 22:20; 32:27,28; De 13:6,9,13,15; 17:3-5; 1Ki 18:40

a Midianitish.

14,15; 22:4; 31:2,9-16

in the sight of Moses.

15:30,31; De 29:19-21; Jer 3:3; 8:12; 36:23; 42:15-18; 43:4-7

Jer 44:16,17; 2Pe 2:13-15; Jude 1:13

weeping.

Jud 2:4; Ezr 9:1-4; 10:6-9; Isa 22:12; Eze 9:4-6; Joe 2:17

Phinehas.

Ex 6:25; Jos 22:30,31; Jud 20:28

a javelin.

1Sa 18:10,11; 19:9

thrust.

5,11; Ps 106:29-31

So the plague.

16:46-48; 2Sa 24:25; 1Ch 21:22 St. Paul reckons only 23,000: Moses includes in the 24,000 he names, the 1,000 men who were slain in consequence of the judicial examination, (ver. 4,) as well as the 23,000 who died of the plague; while St. Paul only refers to the latter.

4,5; 16:49,50; De 4:3,4; 1Co 10:8

turned my.

Jos 7:25,26; 2Sa 21:14; Ps 106:23; Joh 3:36

for my sake. Heb. with my zeal.

2Co 11:2

that I.

Ex 22:5; 34:14; De 4:24; 29:20; 32:16,21; Jos 24:19; 1Ki 14:22

Ps 78:58; Eze 16:38; Na 1:2; Zep 1:18; 3:8; 1Co 10:22

13:29; Mal 2:4,5; 3:1

his seed.

1Sa 2:30; 1Ki 2:27; 1Ch 6:4-15,50-53

an everlasting.

Ex 40:15; Isa 61:6; Jer 33:18,22; Heb 7:11,17,18; 1Pe 2:5,9

Re 1:6

zealous.

1Ki 19:10,14; Ps 69:9; 106:31; 119:139; Joh 2:17; Ac 22:3-5

Ro 10:2-4

atonement.

Ex 32:30; Jos 7:12; 2Sa 21:3; Heb 2:17; 1Jo 2:2

a prince.

4,5; 2Ch 19:7

chief house. Heb. house of a father. the Simeonites.

1:23; 26:14

Zur.

31:8; Jos 13:21

16 Balaam's counsel seems to have been first given to Balak, king of Moab; but probably the Midianitish women, especially of the higher ranks, as Cozbi was, were the principal tempters; and the nation of Midian seems to have come into the execrable measure more generally and heartily than that of Moab: they were therefore first selected to be made examples of, for a warning to the Moabites, who were spared at this time.

31:2; Re 18:6

vex you.

31:15,16; Ge 26:10; Ex 32:21,35; Re 2:14

beguiled.

Ge 3:13; 2Co 11:3; 2Pe 2:14,15,18

which.