Numbers 23:7-10 NLT,NIV,ESV

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 23:7-10

Numbers 23:7-2 Samuel : . Balaam’ s First Oracle.— Its purport is that the secure independence, the imposing numbers, and the undisturbed prosperity of Israel are proof that the people have not been cursed by God and therefore cannot be cursed by Balaam. The poem, which may have been incorporated, rather than composed, by the author of the narrative, seems to date from a period when Israel was most prosperous ( i.e. some time during the undivided monarchy; cf. on Numbers 24:7; Numbers... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:7

He took up, to wit, into his mouth; he expressed or spoke. His parable, i.e. his oracular and prophetical speech; which he calls a parable, because of the weightiness of the matter, and the majesty and smartness of the expressions which is usual in parables. From Aram; from Aram, Naharaim, or Mesopotamia, Deuteronomy 23:4. See Genesis 10:22. Aram lay towards the mountains of the east: the east was infamous for charmers or soothsayers, Isaiah 2:6. Jacob; the posterity of Jacob, i.e. Israel, as... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:8

God hath not cursed, but blessed Israel, and therefore it is a vain and ridiculous attempt for me to curse them in spite of God. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:9

From the top of the rocks, upon which I now stand, I see the people, according to thy desire, Numbers 22:41, but cannot improve that sight to the end for which thou didst design it, to wit, to curse them. This people are of a distinct kind from others, God’s peculiar people, separated from all other nations, as in religion and laws, also in Divine protection; and therefore my enchantments cannot have that power against them which they have against other persons and people. See Exodus 19:5;... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:10

The dust of Jacob, i.e. the numberless people of Jacob or Israel, who, according to God’s promise; Genesis 13:16; Genesis 28:14, are now become as the dust of the earth. Of the fourth part of Israel, i.e. of one of the camps of Israel; for they were divided into four camps, Numbers 2:0, which Balaam from this height could easily discover; much less can any man number all their host. Of the righteous, i.e. of his righteous and holy people, the Israelites, called Jehesurun, Deuteronomy 32:15,... 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 23:9

Numbers 23:9 The subject of prophecy is one which certainly ought not to be altogether neglected. If it were only for the sake of the many appeals made to it by our Lord and His Apostles, it would have a just claim on our attention. I. It is a very misleading notion of prophecy if we regard it as an anticipation of history. History, in our common sense of the term, is busy with particular nations, times, places, actions, and even persons. If, in this sense, prophecy were a history written... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:10

Numbers 23:10 This is a thought in which all the world would agree, if they could speak out their real feelings. Those who are most backward and unwilling to lead the life of the righteous man even they would wish to die the righteous man's death. I. By the death of the righteous is not meant merely a happy end, but any circumstances of death whatever after a holy and obedient life. The worst death of those who are accounted righteous before God is better than the best and easiest death of an... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Numbers 23:7-10

DISCOURSE: 172BALAAM’S FIRST ATTEMPT TO CURSE ISRAELNumbers 23:7-10. And he took up his parable, and said, Balak, the king of Moab, hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the East, saying, Come, curse me Jacob; and come, defy Israel. How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy whom the Lord hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who... read more

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

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:7-10

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:7

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:8

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:9

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:10

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

Sermon Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:9

Sermon Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:10

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Numbers 23:7-10

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