Numbers 24:10

10 Balak clenched his fists in anger and said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but three times now you have blessed them instead.

Numbers 24:10 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 24:10

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam
He had bore much and long, but he could bear no longer, he was quite impatient, his last words more especially must exceedingly nettle him:

and he smote his hands together;
as expressive of his indignation, vexation, and disappointment:

and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse my enemies;
he had sent princes to him, one set of them after another, to invite him into his country, and to his court, with great promises of reward to curse Israel, whom he reckoned his enemies, and not to bless them:

and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times;
done nothing else but bless them with blessing upon blessing, time after time; even everyone of the three times he opened his mouth, as Balak expected, to have cursed them.

Numbers 24:10 In-Context

8 God brought them out of Egypt; He fights for them like a wild ox. They devour their enemies, Crush their bones, smash their arrows.

9 The nation is like a mighty lion; When it is sleeping, no one dares wake it. Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, And whoever curses Israel will be cursed."

10 Balak clenched his fists in anger and said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but three times now you have blessed them instead.

11 Now get on home! I promised to reward you, but the Lord has kept you from getting the reward."

12 Balaam answered, "I told the messengers you sent to me that