Numbers 23:7-10

7 Then Balaam spoke his message: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me; come, denounce Israel.’
8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?
9 From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them. I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my final end be like theirs!”

Numbers 23:7-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 23

This chapter gives an account of the sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam, and how God met Balsam, and put a word into his mouth, which he delivered in the presence of the king of Moab and his princes, Nu 23:1-7, the substance of which are, the separate state and condition of Israel from other nations, their number, and the happiness of the righteous at death, Nu 23:8-10, which made Balak uneasy, since instead of cursing he blessed Israel, and therefore he had him to another place to take a view of the people, Nu 23:11-13 where having offered sacrifices, another word was put into the mouth of Balaam, and which he also delivered before the king and his nobles, Nu 23:14-18, in which were expressed the unchangeableness of God, the irreversibleness of the blessing of Israel, the strength, safety, happiness, and glory of that people, Nu 23:19-24 which made Balak more uneasy still; but willing to try him a third time, he carried him to another place, and there built altars, and offered sacrifices, the consequence of which is related in the next chapter, Nu 23:25-30.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Numbers 22:5; Joshua 24:9
  • 2. ver 18; Numbers 24:3,21; 2 Samuel 23:1
  • 3. 2 Kings 5:1
  • 4. S Genesis 24:10
  • 5. S Numbers 22:6; Nehemiah 13:2; Deuteronomy 23:4
  • 6. Numbers 22:12
  • 7. ver 20; Isaiah 43:13
  • 8. Numbers 22:41
  • 9. S Exodus 33:16; S Deuteronomy 32:8; Deuteronomy 33:28
  • 10. S Genesis 13:16
  • 11. Psalms 16:3; Psalms 116:15; Isaiah 57:1
  • 12. Psalms 37:37
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