Numbers 23:11

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Numbers 23:11-24

F.—THE SECOND BLESSINGNumbers 23:11-2411And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. 12And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth? 13And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.14And he... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Numbers 23:1-12

a Blessing instead of a Curse Numbers 22:41 ; Numbers 23:1-12 Notice the position of these chapters, preceding the awful story of Baal-peor. Presently the Israelites will be perpetrating such terrible sins that it might seem impossible for God to continue to acknowledge them; yet here God stands for them and restrains the spirit of evil. He will take their chastisement, when needed, into his own hands. With all his might Balaam strove to earn the royal gifts. Ah, thought he, that I could... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:1-30

The first of Balaam's prophecies was uttered in the midst of strange surroundings. Sacrifices were offered to heathen gods, while Balaam turned aside to inquire of Jehovah. The result was that we have in his prophesying the first of a series of utterances concerning Israel which are among the most sublime in the whole of Scripture. In this first we have a central declaration, Lo, it is a people that dwell alone. It constitutes a vision of the nation as separated from others because of the... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:11-17

Numbers 23:11-Esther : . Balak’ s Sacrifices preliminary to Balaam’ s second Oracle.— Balak’ s disappointment at Balaam’ s first utterance leads him to take Balaam to the field of Zophim (or “ the watchmen” ) in the hope that the different locality might dispose God to accept his renewed sacrifices and to grant his wishes. Some places were thought to be regarded by a divinity with greater favour than others ( 1 Samuel 5:8 *). For Pisgah, see Numbers 21:20 *. Numbers 23:13 . shalt not see them... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Numbers 23:1-30

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTESNumbers 23:1. Build me here seven altars. “As seven was a number of perfection, Balaam chose it on this occasion, because he intended to offer a grand sacrifice, and to offer a bullock and a ram upon each of the altars; the whole to be made a burnt offering at the same time. And as he intended to offer seven bullocks and seven rams at the same time, it could not be conveniently done on one altar, therefore he ordered seven to be built.”—A. Clarke LL.D.The offerings... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:11-12

Numbers 23:11-12 I. Balaam is a heathen prophet; he is certainly not produced as a favourable specimen of one. In the New Testament he is represented as the very type of false and evil teachers. Yet the teaching of Balaam is not ascribed to an evil spirit, but to God; he is not treated as a mere pretender to powers which were not his; his knowledge and foresight are acknowledged as real. II. How then was Balaam a false prophet? His predictions were confirmed; what he spoke of the goodly tents... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:1-30

Num 23:1-30 And God met Balaam: and Balaam said to him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and tell him this. And so he returned to him, and he was standing by the burnt sacrifice with all of the princes of Moab. And so Balaam took up this parable, and he said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob,... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 23:1-30

Numbers 23:1 . Seven altars. The Lord commanded Job’s friends to take seven bullocks and seven rams, offered no doubt on seven altars: Job 42:8. This was the highest sacrifice a nation could present. 1 Chronicles 15:26. 2 Chronicles 29:26. Numbers 23:21 . He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nor seen perverseness in Israel. The Vulgate reads, ‘There is no idol in Jacob, nor similitude in Israel.’ Our Poole also cites one class of interpreters who read, ‘He does not behold injury to... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Numbers 23:5-12

Numbers 23:5-12How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?Balaam’s first parable; or, the blessedness of the people of GodBalaam’s declaration of the happiness of Israel sets forth the blessedness of the people of God.I. It is placed beyond the power of their enemies.II. It consists in their separation from the ungodly. In three respects were the Israelites separated from other nations.1. Politically they were independent of them.2. Morally they were separated from them.3. By the possession of... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Numbers 23:11

Num 23:11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed [them] altogether. Ver. 11. What hast thou done unto me. ] Hereby it appears that Balak, in serving of God by building altars and offering sacrifices, did but serve himself upon God; as Ephraim bore "fruit to himself"; Hos 10:1 and "Did ye fast to me, even to me?" Zec 7:5 read more

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