13-15. Come, . . . with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them—Surprised and disappointed at this unexpected eulogy on Israel, Balak hoped that, if seen from a different point of observation, the prophet would give utterance to different feelings; and so, having made the same solemn preparations, Balaam retired, as before, to wait the divine afflatus. read more
14. he brought him into the field of Zophim . . . top of Pisgah—a flat surface on the summit of the mountain range, which was cultivated land. Others render it "the field of sentinels," an eminence where some of Balak's guards were posted to give signals [CALMET]. read more
13-15. Come, . . . with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them—Surprised and disappointed at this unexpected eulogy on Israel, Balak hoped that, if seen from a different point of observation, the prophet would give utterance to different feelings; and so, having made the same solemn preparations, Balaam retired, as before, to wait the divine afflatus. read more
Balaam’s seven oracles chs. 23-24"Chapters 23 and 24 are two of the brightest chapters in the book of Numbers. Scores of wonderful things are said about Israel, mainly prophetical. The dark sins of the past were forgotten; only happy deliverance from Egypt was cited." [Note: Jensen, p. 99.] read more
A new site afforded a better view of Israel, though the whole nation was still not in view. Balak repeated the same ritual of sacrifice.God does not change His ultimate purposes or go back on His solemn promises. He does, of course, respond to the words and actions of people by adjusting His plans. It is from God’s larger purposes that He does not "repent" (Numbers 23:19). [Note: See Thomas L. Constable, "What Prayer Will and Will Not Change," in Essays in Honor of J. Dwight Pentecost, pp.... read more
Balaam (continued)1-10. First Utterance of Balaam.1. On the meaning of these sacrifices see on Numbers 22:40. Balak may have intended these sacrifices for Baal, but Balaam at all events thinks of the God who spoke to him at Pethor and whose angel met him on the way (see Numbers 23:4).3. I will go] to inspect the omens, to see what indications are visible of God’s will: cp. Numbers 24:1; Leviticus 19:31. To an high place] RV ’to a bare height’: see on Numbers 22:41. 7. Balaam is constrained to... read more
(13) Thou shalt see but the utmost part of them . . . —If this rendering be correct, it strongly confirms that interpretation of Numbers 22:41 according to which Balaam saw the whole host of Israel from Bamoth-Baal. The words may, however, be rendered thus: Thou seest (i.e., here) but the utmost part of them, and thou dost not see them all. If the interpretation of Numbers 22:41 is adopted, which restricts the view from Bamoth-Baal to the extremity of the host of Israel, the meaning of this... read more
(14) The field of Zophim.—i.e., of watchers. Tne spot seems to be identified with that from which Moses afterwards surveyed the promised land (Deuteronomy 3:27), and which is described in Deuteronomy 34:1 as “the mountain of Nebo,” or Mount Nebo. It is possible, however, that Pisgah may have had more than one of such summits. read more
(17) What hath the Lord spoken?—Balak here speaks of God under the name Jehovah. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:14
Numbers 23:14. The field of Zophim to the top of Pisgah— Zophim, signifies watchmen; and the field of Zophim seems to have been a plain on the top of the mountain, where watchmen were placed in order to give a signal upon the approach of enemies. See Isaiah 21:11; Isaiah 52:8. Pisgah was a very high mountain in the country of Moab, from some parts of which almost the whole extent of Canaan might be seen. Deuteronomy 3:27. But Balak, it appears, brought Balaam to that side of it where he could... read more