Numbers 22:1-44

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:12

And God said unto Balaam, thou shalt not go with them ,.... Which is a denial of the first thing Balak requested, "come now, therefore", &c.; Numbers 22:6 . thou shall not curse the people ; which was the principal thing desired, and in order to which he was solicited to go with the messengers; but this is absolutely forbidden: for they are blessed ; by the Lord himself, with an irrevocable blessing, and therefore it would be vain and fruitless, as well as dangerous for him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:13

And Balaam rose up in the morning ,.... With the impression of the dream upon his mind, and of what had passed between God and him in it: and said unto the princes of Balak ; which shows what the elders were that were sent, of what honour and dignity, and may include both those of Moab and of Midian: get you into your land ; as soon as you can; set forward on your journey, it is to no purpose to stay here: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you ; he only relates... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:14

And the princes of Moab rose up ,.... And the princes of Midian also, immediately, without entering into a parley with him, to persuade him to go with them; perceiving by his answer that it would be to no purpose, and that he was determined to do as the Lord directed him: and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us ; as Balaam told them less than what God had said to him, so they related less to Balak than what Balaam had said to them; saying nothing of the Lord's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:15

And Balak sent yet again princes more, and more honourable than they. More in number, and greater in quality, princes of the first rank in his court; supposing that Balaam thought he was not treated with respect enough, they being princes of the meaner sort, and but few, that were sent unto him before, which he imagined was the reason, at least one reason, why he refused to come with them; persons of Balaam's character in those days being highly revered. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:16

And they came to Balaam ,.... Though men of such rank and dignity, they did not decline the embassy, being sent by their king; nor did they think it below them to wait upon this soothsayer: and said unto him, thus saith Balak the son of Zippor ; representing their master, and addressing the diviner in his name, as his ambassadors; at the same time doing honour to Balak that sent them, of whom they speak respectfully, and to Balaam, to whom they were sent: let nothing, I pray thee,... read more

Grupo de Marcas