Numbers 22:18-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 22:15-21

We have here a second embassy sent to Balaam, to fetch him over to curse Israel. It were well for us if we were as earnest and constant in prosecuting a good work, notwithstanding disappointments, as Balak was in pursuing this ill design. The enemies of the church are restless and unwearied in their attempts against it; but he that sits in heaven laughs at them. Observe, I. The temptation Balak laid before Balaam. He contrived to make this assault more vigorous than the former. It is very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:18

And Balaam answered, and said unto the servant's of Balak ,.... Who were not only princes of the land, but officers of state in the court of Balak: if Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more ; which is well spoken, had it been from his heart: he speaks very respectfully of God, calling him by his great and incommunicable name Jehovah, the Being of beings; representing him as the object of his worship and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:19

Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night ,.... As the former messengers had; this shows his strong inclination to go along with them, and do what was desired of him, could he be permitted; otherwise he might and ought to have told the messengers at once that Balak needed not to have given himself and them so much trouble, since it was not in his power to do for him what he requested; nor would he attempt it, as being contrary to the will of God, and therefore it would be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:20

And the Lord came unto Balaam at night ,.... As before, Numbers 22:9 it may be in a dream; the Targum of Jonathan is as there,"a word came from the Lord:" and said unto him, if the men come and call thee, rise up, and go with them ; this was said, as some think, not seriously, but sarcastically, or rather in an angry manner, bidding him go, if he would; so giving him up to his own heart's lusts, or, at most; only permitting him to go with them, but not to curse Israel; and this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:18

I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God - Balaam knew God too well to suppose he could reverse any of his purposes; and he respected him too much to attempt to do any thing without his permission. Though he was covetous, yet he dared not, even when strongly tempted both by riches and honors, to go contrary to the command of his God. Many make all the professions of Balaam, without justifying them by their conduct. "They pretend," says one, "they would not do any thing against the word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:19

What the Lord will say unto me more - He did not know but God might make a farther discovery of his will to him, and therefore he might very innocently seek farther information. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:20

If the men come - go with them - This is a confirmation of what was observed on the twelfth verse; though we find his going was marked with the Divine displeasure, because he wished, for the sake of the honors and rewards, to fulfill as far as possible the will of the king of Moab. Mr. Shuckford observes that the pronoun הוא hu is sometimes used to denote a person's doing a thing out of his own head, without regard to the directions of another. Thus in the case of Balaam, when God had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 22:20

Verse 20 20.And God came to Balaam at, night. Although God is far from being deceitful, still hypocrites with their quibbles deserve that He should delude their craft. If we more closely consider the desire of Balaam, it was that God should belie Himself. For, if he was persuaded that He was truthful, what else was there to be hoped except that he should ratify His reply ten times over? Nevertheless, he wickedly lies to God, when he asks for a permission to go, which would convict God Himself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 22:1-40

I. The character and position of Balaam with regard to God and man; II. The policy of Balak in sending for Balaam; III. The conduct of Balaam when asked and urged to come to Balak; IV. The incidents, natural and supernatural, of Balaam's coming. I. THE CHARACTER OF BALAAM , AND HIS POSITION WITH REGARD TO GOD AND MAN . Consider under this head— 1 . That Balaam had a true knowledge of the most high Cod. He was not in any sense a heathen as far... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 22:1-40

I. BALAAM 'S LOFTY POSITION AND PRIVILEGES . II. THE SECRET OF BALAAM 'S HUMILIATING FALL . II. Balaam's name mentioned in the New Testament only three times, and each time it is covered with reproach ( 2 Peter 2:15 ; Jud 2 Peter 1:11 ; Revelation 2:14 ). His root sin was the ancient, inveterate vice of human nature, selfishness. He knew God, but did not love him, for "he loved the wages of unrighteousness." He did not follow the Divine voice, but "followed... read more

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