Numbers 22:16

16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak son of Zippor, 'Please, let nothing keep you from coming to 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 The princes of Moab got up and went to Balak, and they said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

15 Balak again sent many princes, [who were more] honored {than the former}.

16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak son of Zippor, 'Please, let nothing keep you from coming to me

17 because I will surely honor you greatly, and all that you say to me I will do. Please, come; curse this people for me.'"

18 Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Even though Balak gives to me his house full of silver and gold, I am not able to go beyond {the command of Yahweh} my God to do a little or a lot.