Numbers 22:19

19 And now please, {you also stay here} the night, and {let me find out} again what Yahweh will say with 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 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.
19 And now please, {you also stay here} the night, and {let me find out} again what Yahweh will say with me."
20 And God came to Balaam [at] night, and he said to him, "If the men have come to call you, get up [and] go with them; but only the word that I will speak to you, you will do."
21 So Balaam got up in the morning and saddled his donkey, and he went with the princes of Moab.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Literally "please stay in this"
  • [b]. Literally "let me know"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.