Num 22:11, 17, 23:7-8, 24:10, Psa 109:17-20 | TSK | STEP | able to overcome them. Heb. prevail in fighting againstthem.

Numbers 22:11

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

Numbers 22:17

I will promote.

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

and I will do.

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.

Numbers 23:7-8

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