Numbers 22:9

9 Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"

Numbers 22:9 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 22:9

And God came unto Balaam
In a dream very probably, as he did to Abimelech and Laban, ( Genesis 20:3 ) ( 31:24 ) :

and said, what men are these with thee?
who lodged with him that night. This he said, not as ignorant who they were, or from whence they came, or what they came about; but in order to lead on to a discourse with Balaam, and to have from him the account of the men, and their business, and to try his fidelity in relating the affair.

Numbers 22:9 In-Context

7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner's fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.

8 And he said to them, "Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me." So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9 Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"

10 So Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,

11 'Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.' "