Numbers 24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:1

He went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments - We have already had occasion to observe that the proper meaning of the word נחש nachash is not easily ascertained; see Numbers 21:9 ; (note), and Genesis 3:1 ; (note). Here the plural נחשים nechashim is rendered enchantments; but it probably means no more than the knowledge of future events. When Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he therefore thought it unnecessary to apply for any farther prophetic... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:2

The Spirit of God came upon him - This Divine afflatus he had not expected on the present occasion, but God had not yet declared the whole of his will. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:3

He took up his parable - His prophetic declaration couched in highly poetic terms, and in regular metre, as the preceding were. The man whose eyes are open - I believe the original שתם shethum , should be translated shut, not open; for in the next verse, where the opening of his eyes is mentioned, a widely different word is used, גלה galah , which signifies to open or reveal. At first the eyes of Balaam were shut, and so closely too that he could not see the angel who withstood... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:4

Falling into a trance - There is no indication in the Hebrew that he fell into a trance; these words are added by our translators, but they are not in the original. נפל nophel is the only word used, and simply signifies falling, or falling down, perhaps in this instance by way of religious prostration. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:6

Lign aloes which the Lord hath planted - Or, as the tents which the Lord hath pitched; for it is the same word, אהלים ohalim , which is used in the 5th verse. But from other parts of Scripture we find that the word also signifies a species of tree, called by some the sandal tree, and by others the lignum or wood aloes. This tree is described as being eight or ten feet high, with very large leaves growing at the top; and it is supposed that a forest of those at some distance must bear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:7

He shall pour the water out of his buckets, etc. - Here is a very plain allusion to their method of raising water in different parts of the East. By the well a tall pole is erected, which serves as a fulcrum to a very long lever, to the smaller end of which a bucket is appended. On the opposite end, which is much larger, are many notches cut in the wood, which serve as steps for a man, whose business it is to climb up to the fulcrum, in order to lower the bucket into the well, which, when... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:8

God brought him forth out of Egypt - They were neither expelled thence, nor came voluntarily away. God alone, with a high hand and uplifted arm, brought them forth. Concerning the unicorn, see Numbers 23:22 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:9

He couched, he lay down as a lion, etc. - See the original terms explained Numbers 23:24 ; (note). These oracles, delivered by Balaam, are evident prophecies of the victories which the Israelites should gain over their enemies, and of their firm possession of the promised land. They may also refer to the great victories to be obtained by the Lord Jesus Christ, that Lion of the tribe of Judah, over sin, death, and Satan, the grand enemies of the human race; and to that most numerous... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:11

Lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor - A bitter and impious sarcasm. "Hadst thou cursed this people, I would have promoted thee to great honor; but thou hast chosen to follow the directions of Jehovah rather than mine, and what will he do for thee?" read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 24:15

The man whose eyes are open - See on Numbers 24:3 ; (note). It seems strange that our version should have fallen into such a mistake as to render שתם shethum , open, which it does not signify, when the very sound of the word expresses the sense. The Vulgate has very properly preserved the true meaning, by rendering the clause cujus obturatus est oculus , he whose eyes are shut. The Targum first paraphrased the passage falsely, and most of the versions followed it. read more

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