民数記 22:3-14 JCB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 22:1-14

The children of Israel have at length finished their wanderings in the wilderness, out of which they went up (Num. 21:18), and are now encamped in the plains of Moab near Jordan, where they continued till they passed through Jordan under Joshua, after the death of Moses. Now we have here, I. The fright which the Moabites were in upon the approach of Israel, Num. 22:2-4. They needed not to fear any harm from them if they knew (and it is probable that Moses let them know) the orders God had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:3

And Moab was sore afraid of the people ,.... Lest they should enter into their country and do to them as they had done to Sihon and Og, and their countries; on this account the king of Moab, his nobles, and the people of the land, were in an exceeding great panic, which was a fulfilling of the prophecy of Moses in Exodus 15:15 , because they were many the number of them taken a little after in this place, where they now were, in the plains of Moab, even after 24,000 had died of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:4

And Moab said unto the elders of Midian ,.... Whom the king of Moab sent for to consult with what to do in the present case, for the good and safety of both people; for, according to the Targum of Jonathan, they were one people and one kingdom unto this time, at least had been confederates, by what is said Genesis 36:35 though Jarchi thinks there was always a mutual hatred of each other, and that Midian now came against Moab to war, but for fear of Israel a peace was made between them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:5

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor ,.... In consequence of the consultation held by the king of Moab with the elders of Midian; and very probably through a motion of theirs, and by advice they gave, Balak dispatched messengers of both people to the person here described by his name and parentage; but who he was is not easy to say: the Jews sometimes make him to be a magician in Pharaoh's court, at the time when Moses was born F26 Dibre Hayamim Shekmoaseh, fol. 3. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:6

Come now, therefore, I pray thee ,.... To my country, city, and court: curse me this people ; by imprecations on them; and which being attended with various rites and ceremonies, brought calamities on persons, which men of Balaam's character were supposed to have power to do: for they are too mighty for me ; to oppose and subdue by force of arms; and therefore was obliged to have recourse to such arts and methods he was master of; suggesting, that he was able to do more by his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:7

And the elders of Moab, and the elders of Midian, departed ,.... By which it appears that they were princes and nobles; for such the elders were, that were sent on this errand to Balaam; and that they were some of both people, Midian and Moab, that went upon it, see Numbers 22:14 which shows, that if they were not one people, under one king, which yet seems likely, nevertheless they made a common cause of it, and joined in this expedient to save their country: with the rewards of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:8

And he said unto them, lodge here this night ,.... Which shows that he was at once inclined to do their business for them, and would readily engage in it if he could be permitted; and it looks as if it was in the night season that he got knowledge of things, either in dreams, or by familiar spirits, or by consulting the stars, or other methods used by him at such seasons; or it may be, this was only said to get time before he gave them a peremptory answer, that he might, if he could, get... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:9

And God came unto Balaam ,.... In a dream very probably, as he did to Abimelech and Laban, Genesis 20:3 , and said, what men are these with thee ? who lodged with him that night. This he said, not as ignorant who they were, or from whence they came, or what they came about; but in order to lead on to a discourse with Balaam, and to have from him the account of the men, and their business, and to try his fidelity in relating the affair. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:10

And Balaam said unto God ,.... In answer to the question he put to him: Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me ; these men, and a message by them: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:11

Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt ,.... In this, and the following part of the verse, he faithfully and punctually relates the words of Balak to him by his messengers, as well knowing he could not deceive the omniscient God, or hide anything from him, though he could deceive men; and conceal the truth from them, to serve a purpose; See Gill on Numbers 22:5 , Numbers 22:6 . read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 22:1-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:11

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