Numbers 22:19

19 I beseech you, that ye dwell here also in this night (But I beseech you, stay ye here this night), (so) that I may know what the Lord shall answer again to me.

Numbers 22:19 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:19

Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night
As the former messengers had; this shows his strong inclination to go along with them, and do what was desired of him, could he be permitted; otherwise he might and ought to have told the messengers at once that Balak needed not to have given himself and them so much trouble, since it was not in his power to do for him what he requested; nor would he attempt it, as being contrary to the will of God, and therefore it would be their best way to return as soon as they could; but instead of that, he desires them to stay that night, which must give them some hope of succeeding in their embassy:

that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more;
he hoped he would change his mind, and say something to him different from, and contrary to what he had before declared unto him, which to suppose of God is great vileness and wickedness; to such a pitch did his greedy desire after riches and honour work him up into; he ought to have been satisfied with the answer already given him, and not to have inquired more.

Numbers 22:19 In-Context

17 (for I am) ready to honour thee; and whatever thing thou wilt, I shall give to thee; come thou, and curse this people (so then come thou, and curse these people).
18 Balaam answered, Though Balak shall give to me his house full of silver and of gold, I shall not be able to change the word of my God, that I speak either more or less. (But Balaam answered, Even if Balak should give me all the gold and silver in his house, I could not change the word of my God, so that I speak something else, either more or less.)
19 I beseech you, that ye dwell here also in this night (But I beseech you, stay ye here this night), (so) that I may know what the Lord shall answer again to me.
20 Therefore the Lord came to Balaam in that night, and said to him, If these men (have) come to call thee, rise thou, and go with them, so only that thou do that that I shall command to thee (but do only what I shall command thee to do).
21 (So) Balaam rose early, and when his she ass was saddled, he went forth with them.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.