Numbers 23:21-30

21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel; the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them

22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath, as it were, the strength of a unicorn.

23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel. According to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, `What hath God wrought!'

24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion; he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey and drink the blood of the slain."

25 And Balak said unto Balaam, "Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all."

26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, "Told not I thee, saying, `All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do'?"

27 And Balak said unto Balaam, "Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place. Perhaps it will please God that thou mayest curse them for me from thence."

28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

29 And Balaam said unto Balak, "Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams."

30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Numbers 23:21-30 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.