Bible Commentary

Numbers 23:3

The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 23:3

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Peradventure the Lord will come to meet me. It might be concluded from that Balaam went only to look for "auguries," i.e; for such natural signs in the flight of birds and the like as the heathen were wont to observe as manifestations of the favour or disfavour of God, the success or failure of enterprises.

It seems clear that it was his practice to do so, either as having some faith himself in such uncertainties, or as stooping to usual heathen arts which he inwardly despised. But from the fact that God met him (we know not how), and that such supernatural communication was not unexpected, we may conclude that Balaam's words meant more for himself than the mere observance of auguries, whatever they may have meant for Balak.

To an high place. Rather, "to a bald place" ( שֶׁפִי—compare the meaning of "Calvary"), from which the immediate prospect was uninterrupted.

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