Numbers 23:9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 23:1-12

Here is, I. Great preparation made for the cursing of Israel. That which was aimed at was to engage the God of Israel to forsake them, and either to be on Moab's side or to stand neuter. O the sottishness of superstition, to imagine that God will be at men's beck! Balaam and Balak think to bribe him with altars and sacrifices, offered without any warrant or institution of his: as if he would eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats. Ridiculous nonsense, to think that these would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:9

For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him ,.... That is, Israel in their camps; Balaam being at this time on the top of a rock, or on an high hill, from whence he had a view of Israel, encamped in the plains of Moab below him: lo, the people shall dwell alone ; this certainly respects their dwelling in the land of Canaan, where they dwelt a separate people from all others, distinguished by their language, religion, laws, customs, and manner of living, being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:9

From the top of the rocks I see him - That is, from the high places of Baal where he went, Numbers 22:41 , that he might the more advantageously see the whole camp of Israel. The people shall dwell alone - They shall ever be preserved as a distinct nation. This prophecy has been literally fulfilled through a period of 3300 years to the present day. This is truly astonishing. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:9

Verse 9 9For from the top of the rocks I see him. Unless I am mistaken, the meaning is that, although he only beheld the people from afar, so that he could not accurately perceive their power from so high and distant a spot, still they portended to him something great and formidable. A closer view generally intimidates men; besides, a body of twenty thousand men then dazzles our sight, as if the number were five times as great: whilst the real extent of a thing is also more accurately... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:9

The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned. Rather, "It is a people that dwelleth apart, and is not numbered." It was not the outward isolation on which his eye was fixed, for that indeed was only temporary and accidental, but the religious and moral separateness of Israel as the chosen people of God, which was the very secret of their national greatness. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 23:9

For from the top of the rocks ... - The “for” indicates the constraint under which Balaam felt himself. He had been met by God in his own way; from the cliff he had watched for the expected augury; and by the light of this he here interprets, according to the rules of his art, the destiny of Israel.Dwell alone - i. e., apart from others, undisturbed by their tumults, and therefore in safety and just security. Compare the same idea in marginal reference; Jeremiah 49:31; and Micah 7:14. This... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 23:9

Numbers 23:9. From the hills I behold him The hills on which he then stood. This and the former expression may relate not only to the present view he had of the camp of Israel, but to their future settlement in Canaan; wherein they were represented to the eye of his mind, as dwelling securely under the protection of the Almighty. The people shall dwell alone Separated from other nations by peculiar laws, religion, and manners. See on Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 20:24-26; Exodus 3:8. By which... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Numbers 23:1-30

Balaam’s announcements (22:36-24:25)Balak welcomed Balaam and took him to a high place where he could see the vastness of the Israelite camp. Balak no doubt hoped that Balaam, on seeing this, would be convinced that the Israelites were a serious threat and would put a destructive curse upon them (36-41). But Balaam announced God’s approval of the Israelites. Their vast number, their place in history and their present migration were according to God’s will. Balaam comforted himself with the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Numbers 23:9

not be reckoned. Therefore cannot be in the judgment of Matthew 25:0 , or confused with "the Gentiles, or with the church of God". 1 Corinthians 10:32 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 23:9

Numbers 23:9. For from the top of the rocks I see him, &c.— That is, from the top of the rocks on which he then stood: this, and the next expression, may relate not only to the present view he had of the camp of the Israelites, but to their future settlement in Canaan, wherein they were represented to his "mind's eye" as dwelling securely under the protection of the Almighty. The people shall dwell alone, says Hebrews 1:0.e. separated from other nations by peculiar laws, religion, and... read more