Numbers 23:2

2 Balak did it. Then Balaam and Balak sacrificed a bull and a ram on each of the altars.

Numbers 23:2 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 23:2

And Balak did as Balaam had spoken
Ordered seven altars to be built, and prepared seven bullocks and rams for sacrifice:

and Balak and Balsam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram;
both seem to be concerned in offering the sacrifices; Balak, though a king, it being usual for kings to be priests also, as Melchizedek was, and Balaam as a prophet; and these sacrifices were offered to the true God, as seems clear from ( Numbers 23:4 ) and to which Balak, at the direction of Balaam, agreed, in order to gain the Lord on his side, that he might prevail over the people of Israel.

Numbers 23:2 In-Context

1 Balaam said, "Build me seven altars here, and then prepare seven bulls and seven rams."
2 Balak did it. Then Balaam and Balak sacrificed a bull and a ram on each of the altars.
3 Balaam instructed Balak: "Stand watch here beside your Whole-Burnt-Offering while I go off by myself. Maybe God will come and meet with me. Whatever he shows or tells me, I'll report to you." Then he went off by himself.
4 God did meet with Balaam. Balaam said, "I've set up seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
5 Then God gave Balaam a message: "Return to Balak and give him this message."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.