Numbers 23:7-10 NLT,NIV,ESV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:9

Verse 9 9For from the top of the rocks I see him. Unless I am mistaken, the meaning is that, although he only beheld the people from afar, so that he could not accurately perceive their power from so high and distant a spot, still they portended to him something great and formidable. A closer view generally intimidates men; besides, a body of twenty thousand men then dazzles our sight, as if the number were five times as great: whilst the real extent of a thing is also more accurately... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:10

Verse 10 10.Who can count the dust of Jacob? Hence it is plain that what Balaam was to say was suggested to him by God, since he quotes the words of God’s solemn promise, wherein the seed of Abraham is compared to the dust of the earth. Still, we must bear in mind what I have just adverted to, that, although that multitude was reduced to a small number by the sin of the people, nevertheless this was not declared in vain, inasmuch as that little body at length expanded itself so as to fill the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:7

Took up his parable. מָשָׁל (cf. Numbers 21:27 ). Balaam's utterances were in the highest degree poetical, according to the antithetic form of the poetry of that day, which delighted in sustained parallelisms, in lofty figures, and in abrupt turns. The "mashal" of Balaam resembled the "burden" of the later prophets in this, that it was not a discourse uttered to men, but a thing revealed in him of which he had to deliver himself as best he might in such words as came to him. His... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:9

The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned. Rather, "It is a people that dwelleth apart, and is not numbered." It was not the outward isolation on which his eye was fixed, for that indeed was only temporary and accidental, but the religious and moral separateness of Israel as the chosen people of God, which was the very secret of their national greatness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:10

The fourth part of Israel. אֶת־רבַע is so rendered by the Targums, as alluding to the four great camps into which the host was divided. The Septuagint has δήμους , apparently from an incorrect reading. The Samaritan and the older versions, followed by the Vulgate, render it "progeny,'" but this meaning is conjectural, and there seems no sufficient reason to depart from the common translation. Let me die the death of the righteous. The word "righteous" is in the plural ( יְשָׁרִים... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:7

Aram - Or, “highland.” This term denotes the whole elevated region, from the northeastern frontier of Palestine to the Euphrates and the Tigris. The country between these streams was especially designated “Aram-naharaim,” or “Aram of the two rivers:” the Greeks called it Mesopotamia; and here, according to Deuteronomy 23:4, was Balaam’s home. Compare Numbers 22:5 note. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:9

For from the top of the rocks ... - The “for” indicates the constraint under which Balaam felt himself. He had been met by God in his own way; from the cliff he had watched for the expected augury; and by the light of this he here interprets, according to the rules of his art, the destiny of Israel.Dwell alone - i. e., apart from others, undisturbed by their tumults, and therefore in safety and just security. Compare the same idea in marginal reference; Jeremiah 49:31; and Micah 7:14. This... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:10

The fourth part of Israel - i. e., each one of the four camps, into which the host of Israel was divided (see Numbers 2:0), seemed to swarm with innumerable multitudes. Possibly Balaam could only see one camp. Balaam bears testimony in this verse to the fulfillment of the promises in Genesis 13:16; Genesis 28:14.The righteous - i. e., the ancestors of Israel, who “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off” Hebrews 11:13. With their histories Balaam was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 23:7

Numbers 23:7. His parable That is, his oracular and prophetical speech; which he calls a parable, because of the weightiness of the matter, and the liveliness of the expressions which is usual in parables. Jacob The posterity of Jacob. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 23:9

Numbers 23:9. From the hills I behold him The hills on which he then stood. This and the former expression may relate not only to the present view he had of the camp of Israel, but to their future settlement in Canaan; wherein they were represented to the eye of his mind, as dwelling securely under the protection of the Almighty. The people shall dwell alone Separated from other nations by peculiar laws, religion, and manners. See on Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 20:24-26; Exodus 3:8. By which... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 23:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 23:9

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