Numbers 24:16

Knew the knowledge of the Most High. Septuagint, ἐπιστάμενος ἐπιστήμην παρὰ υψίστου . This expression alone distinguishes this introduction of Balaam's mashal from the former one ( Numbers 24:3 , Numbers 24:4 ), but it is difficult to say that it really adds anything to our understanding of his mental state. If we ask when Balaam had received the revelation which he now proceeds to communicate, it would seem most natural to reply that it was made known to him when "the Spirit of God came upon him," and that Balak's anger had interrupted him in the midst of his mashal, or possibly he had kept it back, as too distasteful to his patron, until he saw that he had nothing more to expect from that quarter.