Numbers 22:9

9 What mean these men that are with thee?

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 And the ancients of Moab, and the elders of Madian, went with the price of divination in their hands. And where they were come to Balaam, and had told him all the words of Balac:

8 He answered: Tarry here this night and I will answer whatsoever the Lord shall say to me. And while they stayed with Balaam, God came and said to him:

9 What mean these men that are with thee?

10 He answered: Balac the son of Sephor king of the Moabites hath sent to me,

11 Saying: Behold a people that is come out of Egypt, hath covered the face of the land: come and curse them, if by any means I may fight with them and drive them away.