Numbers 24:10

10 And Balac being angry against Balaam, clapped his hands together and said: I called thee to curse my enemies, and thou on the contrary hast blessed them 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 hath brought him out of Egypt, whose strength is like to the rhinoceros. They shall devour the nations that are his enemies, and break their bones, and pierce them with arrows.

9 Lying down he hath slept as a lion, and as a lioness, whom none shall dare to rouse. He that blesseth thee, shall also himself be blessed: he that curseth thee shall be reckoned accursed.

10 And Balac being angry against Balaam, clapped his hands together and said: I called thee to curse my enemies, and thou on the contrary hast blessed them three times.

11 Return to thy place. I had determined indeed greatly to honour thee, but the Lord hath deprived thee of the honour designed for thee.

12 Balaam made answer to Balac: Did I not say to thy messengers, whom thou sentest to me: