Numbers 24:1

As at other times, or, "as (he had done) time after time." Septuagint, κατὰ τὸ εἰωθός . To seek for enchantments. Rather, "for the meeting with aunties." לִקְמראת נְחַשִׁים . Septuagint, to συνάντησιν τοῖς οἰωνοῖς . Nachashim; as in Numbers 23:23 , is not enchantments in the sense of magical practices, but definitely auguries, i.e. omens and signs in the natural world observed and interpreted according to an artificial system as manifesting the purposes of God. As one of the commonest and worst of heathen practices, it was forbidden to Israel (Le 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10 ) and held up to reprobation, as in 2 Kings 17:17 ; 2 Kings 21:6 ; 2 Chronicles 33:6 . Toward the wilderness. הַמִּדְבָּר . Not "Jeshimon," but apparently the Arboth Moab in which Israel was encamped, and which were for the most part desert as compared with the country around.