Numbers 22:16

16 They came to Balaam. They said, "Balak, the son of Zippor, says, 'Don't let anything 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 So the princes of Moab returned to Balak. They said, "Balaam wouldn't come with us."

15 Then Balak sent other princes. They were more important than the first ones. And there were more of them.

16 They came to Balaam. They said, "Balak, the son of Zippor, says, 'Don't let anything keep you from coming to me.

17 I'll make you very rich. I'll do anything you say. Come. Put a curse on those people for me.' "

18 But Balaam gave them his answer. He said, "Balak could give me his palace filled with silver and gold. Even then, I still couldn't do anything at all that goes beyond what the LORD my God commands.