Numbers 24:10

10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!

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 brings him out of Egypt, He is for him like the horns of the wild ox. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries, And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows.
9 "He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you."
10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!
11 "Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor."
12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying,

Footnotes 1

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