Números 23:23-30

23 Contra Jacó, pois, não há encantamento, nem adivinhação contra Israel. Agora se dirá de Jacó e de Israel: Que coisas Deus tem feito!
24 Eis que o povo se levanta como leoa, e se ergue como leão; não se deitará até que devore a presa, e beba o sangue dos que foram mortos:
25 Então Balaque disse a Balaão: Nem o amaldiçoes, nem tampouco o abençoes:
26 Respondeu, porém, Balaão a Balaque: Não te falei eu, dizendo: Tudo o que o Senhor falar, isso tenho de fazer?
27 Tornou Balaque a Balaão: Vem agora, e te levarei a outro lugar; porventura parecerá bem aos olhos de Deus que dali mo amaldiçoes.
28 Então Balaque levou Balaão ao cume de Peor, que dá para o deserto.
29 E Balaão disse a Balaque: Edifica-me aqui sete altares, e prepara-me aqui sete novilhos e sete carneiros.
30 Balaque, pois, fez como dissera Balaão; e ofereceu um novilho e um carneiro sobre cada altar.

Números 23:23-30 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.

The Almeida Atualizada is in the public domain.