numbers-23:1-11,-numbers-23:24-25

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:4

Verse 4 4.And God met Balaam. It is wonderful that God should have determined to have anything in common with the pollutions of Balaam; since there is no communion between light and darkness, and He detests all association with demons; but, however hateful to God the impiety of Balaam was, this did not prevent Him from making use of him in this particular act. This meeting him, then, was by no means a proof of His favor, as if he approved of the seven altars, and sanctioned these superstitions;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:7

Verse 7 7.And he took up his parable and said. The word משל, mashal, signifies all weighty and notable sayings, especially when expressed in exalted language. The meaning, therefore, is, that Balaam began to speak eloquently, and in no ordinary strain. Nor can it be doubted but that he aroused Balak’s attention by this grandeur of language through God’s secret influence; that the wretched man might acknowledge that Balaam now spoke in no mortal fashion, but that there was something of divine... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:10

Verse 10 10.Who can count the dust of Jacob? Hence it is plain that what Balaam was to say was suggested to him by God, since he quotes the words of God’s solemn promise, wherein the seed of Abraham is compared to the dust of the earth. Still, we must bear in mind what I have just adverted to, that, although that multitude was reduced to a small number by the sin of the people, nevertheless this was not declared in vain, inasmuch as that little body at length expanded itself so as to fill the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:11

Verse 11 11.And Balak said unto Balaam. The proud man again reproaches the false prophet, as if he had fairly purchased of him the right of prophecy. (159) Behold how the reprobate seek God by crooked paths, and desire to have nothing to do with Him, unless He yields to their improper wishes — in a word, unless they render Him submissive to them. Balaam, therefore, is compelled to repress this stupid arrogance, by pleading God’s command, and declaring that nothing more was allowed him than to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:1

Build me here seven altars. According to the common opinion of the heathen, it was necessary to propitiate with sacrifices the God with whom they had to do, and if possible to secure his favourable consideration on their side. The number seven was especially connected with the revelation of the tree God, the Creator of the world, and was probably observed here for this reason. The sacrifices were offered no doubt to Jehovah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:3

Peradventure the Lord will come to meet me. It might be concluded from Numbers 24:1 that Balaam went only to look for "auguries," i.e; for such natural signs in the flight of birds and the like as the heathen were wont to observe as manifestations of the favour or disfavour of God, the success or failure of enterprises. It seems clear that it was his practice to do so, either as having some faith himself in such uncertainties, or as stooping to usual heathen arts which he inwardly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:4

I have prepared seven altars. Balaam, acting for the king of Moab, his heathen patron, in this difficult business, points out to God that he had given him the full quota of sacrifices to begin with. It was implied in this reminder that God would naturally feel disposed to do something for Balaam in return. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:7

Took up his parable. מָשָׁל (cf. Numbers 21:27 ). Balaam's utterances were in the highest degree poetical, according to the antithetic form of the poetry of that day, which delighted in sustained parallelisms, in lofty figures, and in abrupt turns. The "mashal" of Balaam resembled the "burden" of the later prophets in this, that it was not a discourse uttered to men, but a thing revealed in him of which he had to deliver himself as best he might in such words as came to him. His... 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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:7

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 23:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 23:9

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