Numbers 22:9

9 And God came unto Balaam and said, "What men are these 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 elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand, and they came unto Balaam and spoke unto him the words of Balak.

8 And he said unto them, "Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word back, as the LORD shall speak unto me." And the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9 And God came unto Balaam and said, "What men are these with thee?"

10 And Balaam said unto God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

11 `Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, who covereth the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to overcome them and drive them out.'"