Numbers 22:9

9 And god came vnto Balam and sayed: what men are these which are with the?

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 went with the elders of Madian and the rewarde of the sothe sayenge in their handes. And they came vnto Balam and tolde him the wordes of Balac.

8 And he sayed vnto them: tary here all nyghte and I will bringe you worde euen as the Lorde shall saye vnto me. And the lordes of Moab abode with Balam.

9 And god came vnto Balam and sayed: what men are these which are with the?

10 And Balam sayed vnto god: Balac the sonne of Ziphor kynge of Moab hath sent vnto me sayenge:

11 beholde there is a people come out of Egipte and couereth the face of the erthe: come now therfore and curse me them that so peraduenture I maye be able to ouercome them in batell and to dryue the out.