Numbers 22:16

16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor: `Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me;

Numbers 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:16

And they came to Balaam
Though men of such rank and dignity, they did not decline the embassy, being sent by their king; nor did they think it below them to wait upon this soothsayer:

and said unto him, thus saith Balak the son of Zippor;
representing their master, and addressing the diviner in his name, as his ambassadors; at the same time doing honour to Balak that sent them, of whom they speak respectfully, and to Balaam, to whom they were sent:

let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me;
no business, though ever so important, that might be upon his hands; nor any want of respect to him he might imagine; nor if the rewards offered were not thought sufficient; nor any persuasions of men to the contrary; and if it could be thought he knew anything of the prohibition of God, that may be included; so urgent was he upon his coming to him.

Numbers 22:16 In-Context

14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak and said, "Balaam refuseth to come with us."

15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.

16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor: `Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me;

17 for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me. Come therefore, I pray thee, curse for me this people.'"

18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God to do less or more.