Números 23
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 23
Spurgeon - The king thought that the number, beauty, and order of Israel might have influenced the prophet, and therefore he would only let him see apart of them. The trick was in vain. God does not love his people because of their number. If there were but two or three he would be quite as sure to bless them. Bush - Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, etc. Balaam having now declared to Balak the reason of his failure, the infatuated king strangely imagines that the locality was in fault, and that the Most High would be more propitious to him in another situation, and would look more graciously upon fresh sacrifices. He therefore proposes to him to shift his position, with a view to gain a better prospect of the objects of his anathemas, as if a change of place with man could produce a change of purpose in God! The proposal implies a confidence in some magical power exercised by the eye, as if this organ contributed somewhat to the efficacy of the imprecation. That the clear, fixed gaze of the enchanter had a decided effect upon his art, is the unequivocal testimony of ancient writers who have described the superstitions of their age. Balak accordingly determines, if possible, to bring him to such a stand-point on the mountains that he shall not be dismayed by a view of the whole body of the people en masse, but shall see only such a portion of them as shall be most favorable to the effect of his malediction. Allen - Trying to cover all the angles, Balak attempted to reduce the power of the people by selecting a point where their immense numbers would be obscured. Alas for Balak, the oracle that followed exceeded the first in its blessing on Israel. Again, we sense the idea of numbers in this text. There is a power in numbers in the ancient world. If one is confronted only with a small percentage of the whole, Balak reasoned, then the enormity of the nation will not cause the gods to bless when they were requested to curse Israel.(EBC) Mattoon - King Balak is trying to get Balaam to do his will instead of God's will. This is the conflict we face every day. Our will vs. God's will. What is your attitude concerning God's will? When God Intervenes Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm. Psalm 105:15 Today's Scripture & Insight: Numbers 23:13–23 In a poem titled “This Child Is Beloved,” Omawumi Efueye, known affectionately as Pastor O, writes about his parents’ attempts to end the pregnancy that would result in his birth. After several unusual events that prevented them from aborting him, they decided to welcome their child instead. The knowledge of God’s preservation of his life motivated Omawumi to give up a lucrative career in favor of full-time ministry. Today, he faithfully pastors a London church. Like Pastor O, the Israelites experienced God’s intervention at a vulnerable time in their history. While traveling through the wilderness, they came within sight of King Balak of Moab. Terrified of their conquests and their vast population, Balak engaged a seer named Balaam to place a curse on the unsuspecting travelers (Numbers 22:2–6). But something amazing happened. Whenever Balaam opened his mouth to curse, a blessing issued instead. “I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it,” he declared. “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; . . . God brought them out of Egypt” (Numbers 23:20–22). God preserved the Israelites from a battle they didn’t even know was raging! Whether we see it or not, God still watches over His people today. May we worship in gratitude and awe the One who calls us blessed. By: Remi Oyedele How often do you stop to consider the daily protection God extends over you? What does the knowledge that He saves you from unseen dangers mean to you? Numbers 23:14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. BGT Numbers 23:14 καὶ παρέλαβεν αὐτὸν εἰς ἀγροῦ σκοπιὰν ἐπὶ κορυφὴν λελαξευμένου καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς καὶ ἀνεβίβασεν μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν NET Numbers 23:14 So Balak brought Balaam to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NLT Numbers 23:14 So Balak took Balaam to the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak. He built seven altars there and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar. ESV Numbers 23:14 And he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NIV Numbers 23:14 So he took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, and there he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. KJV Numbers 23:14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. YLT Numbers 23:14 and he taketh him to the field of Zophim, unto the top of Pisgah, and buildeth seven altars, and offereth a bullock and a ram on the altar. LXE Numbers 23:14 And he took him to a high place of the field to the top of the quarried rock, and he built there seven altars, and offered a calf and a ram on every altar. ASV Numbers 23:14 And he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. CSB Numbers 23:14 So Balak took him to Lookout Field on top of Pisgah, built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NKJ Numbers 23:14 So he brought him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NRS Numbers 23:14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah. He built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NAB Numbers 23:14 So he brought him to the lookout field on the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bullock and a ram on each of them. NJB Numbers 23:14 He led him to the Lookouts' Field on the top of Pisgah. There he built seven altars and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar. GWN Numbers 23:14 So he took him to the Field of Zophim on top of Mount Pisgah, where he built seven altars. He offered a bull and a ram on each altar. Pisgah: or, the hill, Nu 21:20 De 3:27 *marg: De 4:49 34:1 *marg: built seven: Nu 23:1,2,29 Isa 1:10,11 46:6 Ho 12:11 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Mt Pisgah Near Mt Nebo SEVEN MORE ALTARS AT MOUNT PISGAH So he took him to the field of Zophim (means "watchers" or "spies"), to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar - CSB renders it "Lookout Field on top of Pisgah." Zophrim is from tsaphah which means to look out or about, spy or keep watch. The Septuagint translates Zophim with the Greek noun skopia (from skopeo) which Liddell-Scott defines as "a lookout-place, a mountain-peak, Hom.: of the Trojan acropolis, Eur.: cf. skopelos. 2. metaphorically, the height or highest point of anything, Pind. II. a watchtower, Lat. specula, Hdt., Plat. III. a look-out, watch, skopien echein = to have watch or to keep watch, Od., Hdt." Allen - "Again, sevens are used in the offerings. These are the uses of magical charms, not true worship." (EBC) NN - Some scholars do not translate this word as “Pisgah,” but rather as a “lookout post” or an “elevated place.” Spurgeon on Pisgah - Moses and Balaam both stood on the same hill, but with very different objects. Places cannot change character.) Bush - Brought him into the field of Zophim. That is, to the field of the spies or watchers. Gr. “He took him to a watch-tower of the field.” It was probably some lofty position commanding a wide view of the adjacent country, and such as was usually chosen for a place of espial by those appointed to watch the approach of enemies.
Números 23
Spurgeon - The immutability of the divine counsel is the safety of the saints. No entreaties of our foes can move the heart of God away from us: we are his chosen, and we shall be so evermore. Every promise is yea and amen in Christ Jesus, and not one single word of the Lord shall ever fall to the ground. Men shift like quicksand, but the Lord is firm as a rock. Nor a son of man, that He should repent - NET, ESV, NIV = "nor a son of man, that he should change his mind." Here is His attribute of unchangeableness (see Immutable)
Números 23
Spurgeon says "Not such iniquity as to lead him to put them away. Balaam knew that nothing but sin could separate God from Israel, and he saw that by some means or other the Lord had not seen iniquity in his people. We know, what he did not, that a Mediator came between, otherwise Israel’s sins had long before been her destruction. No doubt compared with the Moabites and especially the filthy Canaanites, the people in the wilderness were remarkably pure to Balaam’s judgment; but it would have fared very ill with them if this had been their only righteousness." Allen adds that "At first blush the wording of this verse is nearly incredible. The whole course of Israel’s experience in the desert was one evil after another, one trouble on another. Yet it is evidently the standing of Israel that is in view here, rather than her state. It is also possible that the words “evil” and “trouble” in this verse are not used to refer to moral issues but to mantic concerns. That is, God does not not look on his people with “an evil eye” or a hostile glance." (EBC) NN - The line could mean that God has regarded Israel as the ideal congregation without any blemish or flaw. But it could also mean that God has not looked on their iniquity, meaning, held it against them. Nor has He seen trouble in Israel - Trouble (amal; Lxx = ponos = hard labor, distress of difficult circumstances) "means "wrong, misery, trouble." It can mean the idea of "disaster" as well, for that too is trouble. Here it is parallel to "iniquity" and so has the connotation of something that would give God reason to curse them."(NN) Gilbrant adds that amal "may also be translated "wickedness" (cf. Nu. 23:21; Isa. 10:1), which conveys the emotion of vexation and anguish associated with sinful behavior, especially by those who are the recipients of such evil acts." The LORD his God is with him - Bush "These words point directly to the source of their peculiar blessedness. It was from the divine presence dwelling in the midst of them, sustaining and protecting them. This prerogative was a sign of the gracious state of those to whom it pertained, as otherwise the privilege of communion with Him could not have been enjoyed, according to the intimation 1 John 1:6, 7. So also Ex. 33:3, “For I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people, lest I consume thee in the way.” The Lord was indeed symbolically and typically with the Israelites in the wilderness and in Canaan, but the fulness of the declaration is to be realized only in that Israel which is after the spirit and not after the flesh. And the shout of a king is among them - One wonders if Balaam was able to visualize the Shekinah glory cloud in the center of the camp? Merrill - The shout of the King must be understood as a militaristic threat, implying that the Lord is a Warrior who leads His hosts to victory (cf. Josh. 6:5, 20; Ps. 47:5; Jer. 4:19; 49:2). (BKC) Bush on "among them" - Heb. “In him,” i. e. in Jacob or Israel, spoken of collectively. The original term for “shout” (teruath) is used to denote the alarm-sound made by the silver trumpets described Nu 10:5, 6. It is employed also to denote a shouting of joy and exultation, as when a king or conqueror returns in triumph from war, and his coming is hailed with jubilant acclamations on the part of the people. “When people pass along the road, if they hear a great noise of joy or triumph, they say, ‘This is like the shout of a king.’ ‘What a noise there was in your village last evening! Why, it was like the shout of a king.’ ”—Roberts. It implies, in its ulterior reference, that the Lord’s true people should be victorious in their divine Head over all enemies." FSB on a king - Refers to God Himself ruling in Israel (Exod 15:18; Deut 33:5; 1 Sam 8:7; 12:12; Psa 68:24). NN on the shout - The people are blessed because God is their king. In fact, the shout of acclamation is among them—they are proclaiming the LORD God as their king. The word is used normally for the sound of the trumpet, but also of battle shouts, and then here acclamation. This would represent their conviction that Yahweh is king. Numbers 23:22 "God brings them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox. BGT Numbers 23:22 θεὸς ὁ ἐξαγαγὼν αὐτοὺς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ὡς δόξα μονοκέρωτος αὐτῷ NET Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a wild bull. NLT Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. ESV Numbers 23:22 God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of the wild ox. NIV Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. KJV Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. YLT Numbers 23:22 God is bringing them out from Egypt, As the swiftness of a Reem is to him; LXE Numbers 23:22 It was God who brought him out of Egypt; he has as it were the glory of a unicorn. ASV Numbers 23:22 God bringeth them forth out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of the wild-ox. CSB Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. NKJ Numbers 23:22 God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox. NRS Numbers 23:22 God, who brings them out of Egypt, is like the horns of a wild ox for them. NAB Numbers 23:22 It is God who brought him out of Egypt, a wild bull of towering might. NJB Numbers 23:22 God has brought him out of Egypt, is like the wild ox's horns to him. GWN Numbers 23:22 The God who brought them out of Egypt has the strength of a wild bull. God: Nu 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 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT God brings them out of Egypt - This was the supreme example of God's power and provision for His people and one that Balak was likely very familiar. Allen - The verbal form (brings them out) is a participle, describing ongoing action. God is in the process still of bringing his people from Egypt; he will complete his work soon by bringing them into his land. And along the way he is their strength. They are not empowered by magic but by his person, not by potion but by his presence. Bush - Heb. “Is bringing them,” implying a continuous act. We learn from ch. 22:5, that Balak sent word to Balaam, “Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt.” This would seem to imply that in his view they had come forth from Egypt of their own motion. But Balaam now informs him that such is not the fact; that they were brought out by the hand of God himself, and that he was still bringing them; that he had not relinquished his guiding and guardian care towards them; and consequently that, to endeavor to oppose them, to contend with them, or to visit them with imprecations, would be no less than a foolish fighting with God—a vain conflict of weakness against Omnipotence. Viewed in this light the use of the Participle in the present connection is peculiarly significant. “The fruitlessness of his undertakings against Israel is here proved to Balak, not from the fact that God had brought them out of Egypt, but that he is bringing them out. The idea is, whoever has God for a leader or companion on his way, the world with all its power can do nothing against him.”—Hengstenberg. God makes his saints so strong that they astound their adversaries -- Spurgeon He is for them like the horns of the wild ox - A wild ox with horns was fierce and formidable which is a powerful picture of Jehovah's provision and protection of Israel. Bush - He hath as it were the strength of an unicorn (wild ox). The “he” in this passage we take to refer to Israel, and not to God, although Ains worth recognizes an allusion to both, the Most High as the head of his people possessing this strength in himself, and then imparting it to them, according to the words of the Psalmist, Ps. 68:35, “The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people.” NN - The expression is “the horns of the wild ox” (KJV “unicorn”). The point of the image is strength or power. Horns are also used in the Bible to represent kingship (see Pss 89 and 132).
Números 23
Spurgeon - No plan of men or devils can succeed against the elect of God. We have no cause to fear evil omens, in fact, it would be sinful to do so. It is wicked to feel the superstitious fear of the old heathen. No magical arts, Satanic devices, or malicious plottings can really injure the beloved of the Lord Allen - The reason for Israel’s eventual triumph is given in a new way in this verse: there is “no sorcery against Jacob.” Balaam speaks here from his frightful experience. He had no means in his bag of tricks to withstand the blessing of Israel. Instead of the tricks of the sorcerer, it will be said of Israel: “See what God has done!” (EBC) Omen (05173) nachash from verb nachash - see above) means divination, enchantment. Only found in Nu 23:23 and Nu 24:1. The Septuagint translates nachash with the noun oionos which Liddell-Scott says literally means "a large bird, bird of prey, such as a vulture or eagle, and so distinguished from a common bird, Homer, etc. II. a bird of omen or augury, Homer, etc.:-the flight to (not from) the right, i.e. towards the East, was fortunate, and vice versa. 2. an omen, presage, drawn from these birds, Lat. auspicium or augurium, according as taken from seeing their flight or hearing their cry, Il., etc.; dechomai ton oionon = accept the omen, hail it as favourable, Divination (07081)(qesem) described the cultic practice of foreign nations that was prohibited in Israel (Deut. 18:10); and considered a great sin (1 Sam. 15:23; 2 Kgs. 17:17). False prophets used divination to prophesy in God’s name, but God identified them as false (Jer. 14:14; Ezek. 13:6); and pledged to remove such practices from Israel (Ezek. 13:23). Several verses give some insight into what this actual practice looked like: it was compared to a kingly sentence (Prov. 16:10); and was used to discern between two choices (Ezek. 21:21[26], 22[27] Divination, which was outlawed by God in Israel, involved using illegitimate means to attempt to gain knowledge of such things as the future. Ezekiel 21:21 includes using arrows, consulting teraphim and examining livers as methods of divination Qesem - Num. 22:7; Num. 23:23; Deut. 18:10; 1 Sam. 15:23; 2 Ki. 17:17; Prov. 16:10; Jer. 14:14; Ezek. 13:6; Ezek. 13:23; Ezek. 21:21; Ezek. 21:22 At the proper time it shall be said to Jacob And to Israel, what God has done! - NLT - For now it will be said of Jacob, 'What wonders God has done for Israel!' Bush says "It is extremely difficult to affix a precise idea to these words (the proper time it shall be said)." Jensen says the idea is "direct revelation of His ways and means (“At a proper time it shall be stated to Jacob, yes, to Israel what God has brought about,” 23:23, Berkeley Version) rather than communication through sorcery or witchcraft." NN on shall be said - The Niphal imperfect here carries the nuance of obligation—one has to say in amazement that God has done something marvelous or “it must be said.” Spurgeon - HOW this should cut up root and branch all silly, superstitious fears! Even if there were any truth in witchcraft and omens, they could not affect the people of the Lord. Those whom God blesses devils cannot curse. Ungodly men, like Balaam, may cunningly plot the overthrow of the Lord’s Israel; but with all their secrecy and policy they are doomed to fail. Their powder is damp, the edge of their sword is blunted. They gather together; but as the Lord is not with them, they gather together in vain. We may sit still, and let them weave their nets, for we shall not be taken in them. Though they call in the aid of Beelzebub, and employ all his serpentine craft, it will avail them nothing: the spells will not work, the divination will deceive them. What a blessing this is! How it quiets the heart! God’s Jacobs wrestle with God, but none shall wrestle with them and prevail. God’s Israels have power with God and prevail, but none shall have power to prevail against them. We need not fear the fiend himself, nor any of those secret enemies whose words are full of deceit, and whose plans are deep and unfathomable. They cannot hurt those who trust in God. We defy the devil and all his legions. WHAT GOD HAS DONE - WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT! - Samuel Morse, famous for his invention of the telegraph, gave God the glory for his inventions. It’s fitting that the first message he ever sent over the wire was taken from Scripture: “What hath God wrought!” (Numbers 23:23).Morse, who graduated from Yale in 1810, wrote these words four years before he died: “The nearer I approach the end of my pilgrimage, the clearer is the evidence of the divine origin of the Bible. The grandeur and sublimity of God’s remedy for fallen man are more appreciated and the future is illuminated with hope and joy.” Thomas
Números 23
Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" a people rises like a lioness, And as a lion it lifts itself; It will not lie down until it devours the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain - Balak must have been shaking by now. This description conveys the truth that Israel is powerful and will be victorious. Allen - At this point the would-be victim of the curse of Balaam and Balak becomes the instrument of the destruction of its own enemies. As a lioness (the huntress), Israel is about to rouse herself and bring her foes down to destruction. She will not rest until the enemy is devoured, its blood lapped clean at the end of the chase. (EBC) Spurgeon - He foresaw the military prowess of the nation, and foretold the destruction of the Canaanites by Israel, thus in reality blessing the people whom he was invited to curse Bush - Behold the people shall rise up as a great lion. Heb. “As a courageous lion.” Here the blessing which was bestowed specifically upon the tribe of Judah, Gen. 49:9, is applied to the whole nation of Israel collectively: “Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?” But this blessing reaches on and expends itself on the Christian church, with whom is the victorious presence of Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” And lift himself up as a young lion. Emblematic of strength, courage, and majesty. In the primary sense this phrase and the “rising up” in the former clause, may be conceived as pointing to the bold and valorous onset which Israel should make upon their enemies the Canaanites, the record of which is contained in the book of Joshua. FSB - The lion metaphor is used elsewhere of Israel (see Gen 49:9; Deut 33:20; Mic 5:8), including in Balaam’s third oracle (Num 24:9). NN on lioness - The oracle compares Israel first to a lion, or better, lioness, because she does the tracking and hunting of food while the lion moves up and down roaring and distracting the prey. But the lion is also the traditional emblem of Judah, Dan and Gad, as well as the symbol of royalty. So this also supports the motif of royalty as well as power for Israel. Numbers 23:25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them at all nor bless them at all!" BGT Numbers 23:25 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ οὔτε κατάραις καταράσῃ μοι αὐτὸν οὔτε εὐλογῶν μὴ εὐλογήσῃς αὐτόν NET Numbers 23:25 Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!" NLT Numbers 23:25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Fine, but if you won't curse them, at least don't bless them!" ESV Numbers 23:25 And Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all." NIV Numbers 23:25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!" KJV Numbers 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. YLT Numbers 23:25 And Balak saith unto Balaam, 'Neither pierce it at all, nor bless it at all;' LXE Numbers 23:25 And Balac said to Balaam, Neither curse the people at all for me, nor bless them at all. ASV Numbers 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. CSB Numbers 23:25 Then Balak told Balaam, "Don't curse them and don't bless them!" NKJ Numbers 23:25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all!" NRS Numbers 23:25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all." NAB Numbers 23:25 "Even though you cannot curse them," said Balak to Balaam, "at least do not bless them." NJB Numbers 23:25 Balak said to Balaam, 'Very well! Do not curse them. But at least do not bless them!' GWN Numbers 23:25 Balak said to Balaam, "If you won't curse them, then at least don't bless them!" Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAK HAS HEARD ENOUGH Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them at all nor bless them at all!" - Hebrew = “Neither cursing curse him, nor blessing bless him.” Now Balak even says don't curse because everytime he asks for a curse he only hears more blessings! Jensen - On hearing this second word from God, Balak wished he had not solicited Balaam’s help at all. But this momentary exasperation gave way to a third and final try to secure the desperately desired curse on Israel. (EvBC-Nu) Bush - The impatience and vexation of Balak breaks out uncontrollably in these words. Since Balaam will not say what he would have him, he wishes him to say nothing. If he could procure no evil to be done to Israel, he would at least debar them from the reception of any good. NN on Do not curse them at all - The verb is preceded by the infinitive absolute: “you shall by no means curse” or “do not curse them at all.” He brought him to curse, and when he tried to curse there was a blessing. Balak can only say it would be better not to bother. The same construction now works with “nor bless them at all.” The two together form a merism—“don’t say anything.” He does not want them blessed, so Balaam is not to do that, but the curse isn’t working either. Numbers 23:26 But Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'Whatever the LORD speaks, that I must do'?" BGT Numbers 23:26 καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Βαλααμ εἶπεν τῷ Βαλακ οὐκ ἐλάλησά σοι λέγων τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ ὁ θεός τοῦτο ποιήσω NET Numbers 23:26 But Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'All that the LORD speaks, I must do'?" NLT Numbers 23:26 But Balaam replied to Balak, "Didn't I tell you that I can do only what the LORD tells me?" ESV Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'All that the LORD says, that I must do'?" NIV Numbers 23:26 Balaam answered, "Did I not tell you I must do whatever the LORD says?" KJV Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? YLT Numbers 23:26 and Balaam answereth and saith unto Balak, 'Have I not spoken unto thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh -- it I do?' LXE Numbers 23:26 And Balaam answered and said to Balac, Spoke I not to thee, saying, Whatsoever thing God shall speak to me, that will I do? ASV Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that Jehovah speaketh, that I must do? CSB Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered him, "Didn't I tell you: Whatever the LORD says, I must do?" NKJ Numbers 23:26 So Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Did I not tell you, saying,`All that the LORD speaks, that I must do '?" NRS Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'Whatever the LORD says, that is what I must do'?" NAB Numbers 23:26 But Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not warn you that I must do all that the LORD tells me?" NJB Numbers 23:26 Balaam retorted to Balak, 'Did I not tell you? Whatever Yahweh says, I must do.' GWN Numbers 23:26 Balaam answered, "Didn't I tell you that I must do whatever the LORD says?" Nu 23:12,13 Nu 22:18,38 Nu 24:12,13 1Ki 22:14 2Ch 18:13 Ac 4:19,20 5:29 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAAM SPEAKS YAHWEH'S WORDS But Balaam replied to Balak, "Did I not tell you, 'Whatever the LORD speaks, that I must do - Rhetorical - I warned you Balak! - So the answer to this question is "yes" - As if Balak had not heard this before in Nu 23:12 “Must I not be careful to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?” Earlier Balaam had been very clear replying "to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God." And again in Nu 22:38 "Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” Bush - Told I not thee, saying, etc. The groundwork of Balak’s reproach was the consideration, that Balaam, by his very coming, had laid himself under an obligation, at least, to do nothing against the interest of the king. To this Balaam replies by appealing to the declaration made on his first arrival, that he could only utter what was put into his lips. He is willing to own himself overruled, although he does not confess that he would have been very willing to comply with Balak’s order if he had been able. Numbers 23:27 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will be agreeable with God that you curse them for me from there." BGT Numbers 23:27 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ δεῦρο παραλάβω σε εἰς τόπον ἄλλον εἰ ἀρέσει τῷ θεῷ καὶ καταρᾶσαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν NET Numbers 23:27 Balak said to Balaam, "Come, please; I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there." NLT Numbers 23:27 Then King Balak said to Balaam, "Come, I will take you to one more place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them from there." ESV Numbers 23:27 And Balak said to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there." NIV Numbers 23:27 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there." KJV Numbers 23:27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. YLT Numbers 23:27 And Balak saith unto Balaam, 'Come, I pray thee, I take thee unto another place; it may be it is right in the eyes of God -- to pierce it for me from thence.' LXE Numbers 23:27 And Balac said to Balaam, Come and I will remove thee to another place, if it shall please God, and curse me them from thence. ASV Numbers 23:27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come now, I will take thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. CSB Numbers 23:27 Again Balak said to Balaam, "Please come. I will take you to another place. Maybe it will be agreeable to God that you can put a curse on them for me there." NKJ Numbers 23:27 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there." NRS Numbers 23:27 So Balak said to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there." NAB Numbers 23:27 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come, let me bring you to another place; perhaps God will approve of your cursing them for me from there." NJB Numbers 23:27 Balak then said to Balaam, 'Come with me now and I shall take you somewhere else. From there perhaps it will please God to curse them for me.' Come: Nu 23:13 peradventure: Nu 23:19,20 Job 23:13 Pr 19:21 21:30 Isa 14:27 46:10,11 Mal 3:6 Ro 11:29 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries STUBBORN, FOOLISH BALAK MAKES A THIRD ATTEMPT TO CURSE Then Balak said to Balaam, "Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will be agreeable with God (Lit - “be pleasing in the eyes of God") that you curse them for me from there - Balak still did not fully believe Balaam's repeated declaration that Yahweh would not let him curse Israel. "Balak is stubborn, as indeed Balaam is persistent. But Balak still thinks that if another location were used it just might work. Balaam had actually told Balak in the prophecy that other attempts would fail. But Balak refuses to give up so easily. So he insists they perform the ritual and try again. This time, however, Balaam will change his approach, and this will result in a dramatic outpouring of power on him." (NN) Bush - If Balak, in uttering these words, had any thought of the true God in his mind, the absurdity as well as the impiety of the suggestion is astounding. To think that the Most High could be prevailed upon to turn from his purpose of blessing, and be pleased to curse his people, was the height of delusion, and making the Lord to be “a God who hath pleasure in wickedness.” But it is possible that Balak, by the term “God,” had mental reference to some other deity, in which case we cannot so much wonder at the crudeness of his apprehensions. Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland. BGT Numbers 23:28 καὶ παρέλαβεν Βαλακ τὸν Βαλααμ ἐπὶ κορυφὴν τοῦ Φογωρ τὸ παρατεῖνον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον NET Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks toward the wilderness. NLT Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, overlooking the wasteland. ESV Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert. NIV Numbers 23:28 And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland. KJV Numbers 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. YLT Numbers 23:28 And Balak taketh Balaam to the top of Peor, which is looking on the front of the wilderness, LXE Numbers 23:28 And Balac took Balaam to the top of Phogor, which extends to the wilderness. ASV Numbers 23:28 And Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh down upon the desert. CSB Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland. NKJ Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks the wasteland. NRS Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland. NAB Numbers 23:28 So he took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks Jeshimon. NJB Numbers 23:28 So Balak led Balaam to the summit of Peor, overlooking the wastelands. GWN Numbers 23:28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which overlooks Jeshimon. Jeshimon: Nu 21:20 Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Numbers 25:3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel. (25:5) So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you slay his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.” Deuteronomy 4:3 “Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. Psalm 106:28-29 They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, And ate sacrifices offered to the dead. 29Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, And the plague broke out among them. Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season. But they came to Baal-peor and devoted themselves to shame, And they became as detestable as that which they loved. Possible location of Mount Peor NOW TO HEIGHTS OF PEOR So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks the wasteland - Peor was identified with Baal (Nu 25:3, 5; Dt. 4:3; Ps. 106:28–29; Hosea 9:10). Wenham - Third time lucky is Balak’s motto. Unpersuaded by Balaam’s last message that the LORD would not change his mind, he takes Balaam to another place. (TOTC-Nu) KJV for which overlooks the wasteland has "that looketh toward Jeshimon." Bush says "That is, towards the desert so named." Mattoon - Balak still believes that changing the location will correct the problem. He is determined to have his own will and way done. He takes Balaam to Peor which is identified with Baal worship. This is near the place of Moses' grave (see Dt 34:6). This place will also be the place of the defeat of God's people who will be lured by the sexual seduction of beautiful Moabite women into the worship of Baal. (Nu 25:3) Bush on Peor - It was the name of a mountain in Moab where the people of that country used to sacrifice to their idol Baal. It was hence called Baal-Peor, ch. 25:2, 3, 18, and they seem there to have had a temple called Beth-peor, or the house of Peor, near which was a city of the same name, that the Israelites took from king Sihon, and afterwards gave for a possession to the tribe of Reuben, Deut. 3:29, Josh. 13:15, 20. Related Resources: American Tract Society Peor Easton's Bible Dictionary Peor Fausset Bible Dictionary Peor Holman Bible Dictionary Peor Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Baal-Peor Peor Question: What was Baal Peor in the Bible? Answer: Baal Peor, or the Baal of Peor, was a local deity worshiped by the Moabites. When the Israelites, following Moses to the Promised Land, were in the vicinity of Peor, some of them fell into idolatry and worshiped Baal Peor. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God. The story of Baal Peor starts when Balaak, the king of the Moabites, hired Balaam, a prophet-for-hire, to curse Israel. Balaak had seen the progress and might of Israel and was trying to do something that would stop them. Balaam took the money but was unable to curse Israel because the Lord would not allow him to do so. Balaam then met with the king of Moab and went through the motions of receiving a word from God; each time (seven times total) he ended up blessing Israel instead of cursing them (Numbers 23–24). At the time of the third oracle, Balaam and Balak were observing the Israelite camp from a place called Peor (Numbers 23:28). By the end of the seventh try, Balaak finally got the message that Balaam would not curse Israel for him. In Numbers 25, we find that the women of Midian began to seduce the men of Israel to sexual sin and to sacrifice to their gods. Since the gods of the pagans were often fertility gods, the “worship” often involved sexual acts. The incident is recorded in Numbers 25:1–3: “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Midianite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them.” As a judgment against the Israelites’ sin, God sent a plague among the people (verse 9). According to Numbers 31:16, the women did this on the advice of Balaam. It appears that, since he could not curse Israel, he found another way to fulfill the wishes of Balaak, who was paying him. Balaam knew that, if the Israelite men could be seduced into idol worship, that God Himself would curse them. The word peor simply means “opening” and is the name of the place (a mountain or a spot on a mountain) from which Balak and Balaam observed the camp of Israel. The meaning of the word may or may not be significant to the naming of the place. (Perhaps there was a cave opening there or some kind of mountain pass, or perhaps the place was called Peor for some other reason.) The word baal is simply the word for “lord,” “master,” or “ruler.” Baal became a technical or semi-technical name for the gods of the Canaanites. There was not just one god named Baal, but there were many Baals (many Canaanite “lords”). That is why Numbers 25:3 in the NIV does not use “Baal Peor” as if it were a proper name for a god but uses the term more as a description: “the Baal of Peor,” which could also be translated “the Lord of Peor” or “Lord of the Opening.” Peor might refer to the mountain top from which Balaam and Balak observed Israel, or it could have something to do with the literal meaning of the word peor (opening), which, in the context of Canaanite worship (and the context of Numbers 25), could have a sexual or scatological connotation. Perhaps the top of the mountain was called Peor because that is where the sexual rites took place. In any case, Baal Peor is really the Baal of Peor or simply the Lord of Peor, which distinguishes this Baal from all the others. This particular god is referred to again in Numbers 25:5. Then Numbers 25:18 speaks of “the Peor incident,” which sounds like Peor is being used as a place name rather than something based on the meaning of the word. Deuteronomy 4:3 uses Baal Peor as a place name to refer to the incident recorded in Numbers 25 and in the same verse as a designation for the pagan god. “You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did at Baal Peor. The LORD your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor.” Joshua 22:17 speaks of the “sin of Peor,” and Hosea 9:10 uses Baal Peor to refer to the place where this incident happened: “When they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.” Psalm 106:28 also refers to the Baal of Peor: “They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.” So it seems that Peor and Baal Peor are both used as place names to refer to the place where Israel sinned in sexual immorality and in worship of a particular Baal. The Baal in question is referred to as Baal Peor. Perhaps he was already referred to by this name, as he was seen to be in charge of this particular location, or perhaps this is the name that the Israelites gave him after the fact. In any case, this incident at Baal Peor stands out as the first of many times that Israel fell into immorality and idolatry, and it also serves as a warning to Christians. The Corinthians would have been particularly susceptible to this kind of temptation, as the city of Corinth was filled with idolatry and sexual immorality. The question of eating at idol temples was debated within the congregation. Although he does not mention Baal Peor by name, Paul refers to that incident in 1 Corinthians 10:8: “We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.” In verses 11–14, Paul goes on to say, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” Many things have changed since Israel’s sin at Baal Peor, but the basic temptations have not. Sexual temptation is ever present in modern societies, and the idols of money, pleasure, fame, and “the good life” also vie to take the place of the One True God in the hearts of many people. Even today, Christians must guard against the sin of Baal Peor. GotQuestions.org Numbers 23:29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here." BGT Numbers 23:29 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ οἰκοδόμησόν μοι ὧδε ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς καὶ ἑτοίμασόν μοι ὧδε ἑπτὰ μόσχους καὶ ἑπτὰ κριούς NET Numbers 23:29 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here for me, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams." NLT Numbers 23:29 Balaam again told Balak, "Build me seven altars, and prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for me to sacrifice." ESV Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams." NIV Numbers 23:29 Balaam said, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." KJV Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. YLT Numbers 23:29 and Balaam saith unto Balak, 'Build for me in this place seven altars, and make ready for me in this place seven bullocks and seven rams;' LXE Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said to Balac, build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven calves, and seven rams. ASV Numbers 23:29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. CSB Numbers 23:29 Balaam told Balak, "Build me seven altars here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." NKJ Numbers 23:29 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams." NRS Numbers 23:29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." NAB Numbers 23:29 Balaam then said to him, "Here build me seven altars; and here prepare for me seven bullocks and seven rams." NJB Numbers 23:29 Balaam then said to Balak, 'Build me seven altars here and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams.' GWN Numbers 23:29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ANOTHER ROUND OF THREE SEVENS Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here - See notes on Nu 23:1 Numbers 23:30 Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. BGT Numbers 23:30 καὶ ἐποίησεν Βαλακ καθάπερ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλααμ καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν NET Numbers 23:30 So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NLT Numbers 23:30 So Balak did as Balaam ordered and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar. ESV Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NIV Numbers 23:30 Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. KJV Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. YLT Numbers 23:30 and Balak doth as Balaam said, and he offereth a bullock and a ram on an altar. LXE Numbers 23:30 And Balac did as Balaam told him, and offered a calf and a ram on every altar. ASV Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. CSB Numbers 23:30 So Balak did as Balaam said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NKJ Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar. NRS Numbers 23:30 So Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. NAB Numbers 23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had ordered, offering a bullock and a ram on each altar. NJB Numbers 23:30 Balak did as Balaam said and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar. GWN Numbers 23:30 Balak did what Balaam told him, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar. Numbers 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAK COMPLIES WITH BALAAM'S REQUEST Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar - See notes on Nu 23:2