Numbers 22:8
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“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
At this chapter begins the famous story of Balak and Balaam, their attempt to curse Israel, and the baffling of that attempt; God's people are long afterwards told to remember what Balak the king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, that they might know the righteousness of the Lord, Mic 6:5. In this chapter we have, I. Balak's fear of Israel, and the plot he had to get them cursed (Num 22:1-4). II. The embassy he sent to Balaam, a conjurer, to fetch him for that purpose, and the disappointment he met with in the first embassy (Num 22:5-14). III. Balaam's coming to him upon his second message (Num 22:15-21). IV. The opposition Balaam met with by the way (Num 22:22-35). V. The interview at length between Balak and Balaam (Num 22:36, etc.).
Open source ↗22:8 Stay here overnight: Balaam expected to receive a message from God at night (22:9, 19-20; cp. Job 4:12-16; Zech 1:8). • the Lord (Hebrew Yahweh): Balaam knew about Yahweh, the God of Israel, and expected a message from him as to what he could or could not do.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.