Numbers 23:20-21

Listen to Numbers 23:20-21
20 I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
21 “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed[a] in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.

Numbers 23:20-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 23

This chapter gives an account of the sacrifices offered by Balak and Balaam, and how God met Balsam, and put a word into his mouth, which he delivered in the presence of the king of Moab and his princes, Nu 23:1-7, the substance of which are, the separate state and condition of Israel from other nations, their number, and the happiness of the righteous at death, Nu 23:8-10, which made Balak uneasy, since instead of cursing he blessed Israel, and therefore he had him to another place to take a view of the people, Nu 23:11-13 where having offered sacrifices, another word was put into the mouth of Balaam, and which he also delivered before the king and his nobles, Nu 23:14-18, in which were expressed the unchangeableness of God, the irreversibleness of the blessing of Israel, the strength, safety, happiness, and glory of that people, Nu 23:19-24 which made Balak more uneasy still; but willing to try him a third time, he carried him to another place, and there built altars, and offered sacrifices, the consequence of which is related in the next chapter, Nu 23:25-30.

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Cross References 7

  • 1. ver 5,16; Numbers 24:1
  • 2. Genesis 22:17; Numbers 22:12
  • 3. S ver 8; S Job 9:12; Isaiah 43:13
  • 4. Psalms 32:2,5; Psalms 85:2; Romans 4:7-8
  • 5. Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 40:2; Jeremiah 50:20
  • 6. S Genesis 26:3; Exodus 29:45,46; Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 34:17-18; Psalms 145:18; Zechariah 2:10
  • 7. Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5; Psalms 89:15-18; Isaiah 44:2

Footnotes 1

  • [a] Or "He has not looked on Jacob’s offenses" / "or on the wrongs found"
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