Matthew Henry on Numbers 24:1-9

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Now Balaam spake not his own sense, but the language of the Spirit that came upon him. Many have their eyes open who have not their hearts open; are enlightened, but not sanctified. That knowledge which puffs men up with pride, will but serve to light them to hell, whither many go with their eyes open.

The blessing is nearly the same as those given before. He admires in Israel, their beauty. The righteous, doubtless, is more excellent than his neighbour. Their fruitfulness and increase. Their honour and advancement.

Their power and victory. He looks back upon what had been done for them. Their power and victory. He looks back upon what had been done for them. Their courage and security. The righteous are bold as a lion, not when assaulting others, but when at rest, because God maketh them to dwell in safety.

Their influence upon their neighbours. God takes what is done to them, whether good or evil, as done to himself.

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Balaam Blesses Israel a Third Time. (b. c. 1452.)Numbers 24:1-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleBALAAM BLESSES ISRAEL A THIRD TIME. (B. C. 1452.) The blessing itself which Balaam here pronounces upon Israel is much the same with the two we had in the foregoing chapter; but the introduction to it is different. I. T…The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:1Numbers 24:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAs at other times, or, "as (he had done) time after time." Septuagint, κατὰ τὸ εἰωθός. To seek for enchantments. Rather, "for the meeting with aunties." לִקְמראת נְחַשִׁים. Septuagint, to συνάντησιν τοῖς οἰωνοῖς…The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:1-9Numbers 24:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryBALAAM-THE THIRD PARABLE This passage marks the period at which Balaam becomes finally convinced that it is vain for him to attempt to satisfy Balak, or to carry out the baser promptings of his own heart. He confesses h…

commentaryBalaam Blesses Israel a Third Time. (b. c. 1452.)BALAAM BLESSES ISRAEL A THIRD TIME. (B. C. 1452.) The blessing itself which Balaam here pronounces upon Israel is much the same with the two we had in the foregoing chapter; but the introduction to it is different. I. T…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:1-9BALAAM-THE THIRD PARABLE This passage marks the period at which Balaam becomes finally convinced that it is vain for him to attempt to satisfy Balak, or to carry out the baser promptings of his own heart. He confesses h…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:1As at other times, or, "as (he had done) time after time." Septuagint, κατὰ τὸ εἰωθός. To seek for enchantments. Rather, "for the meeting with aunties." לִקְמראת נְחַשִׁים. Septuagint, to συνάντησιν τοῖς οἰωνοῖς…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:2The spirit of God came upon him. This seems to intimate a higher state of inspiration than the expression, "God put a word into his mouth" (Numbers 23:5, Numbers 23:16).Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:3Balaam … hath said. Rather, "the utterance of Balaam." נְאֻם is constantly used, as in Numbers 14:28, for a Divine utterance, effatum Dei, but it does not by itself, apart from the context, claim a superhuman origin. Th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:4Falling into a trance. Rather, "falling down." Qui cadit, Vulgate. The case of Saul, who "fell down naked all that day" (1 Samuel 19:24), overcome by the illapse of the Spirit, affords the best comparison. Physically, i…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:6As the valleys, or, "as the torrents" ( נְחָלִים), which pour down in parallel courses from the upper slopes. As gardens by the river's side. The river ( נָהָר), as in Numbers 22:5) means the Euphrates. Balaam combines…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:7-10BALAAM-THE FIRST PARABLE The word "parable" is used here in a somewhat peculiar sense. It is not, as in the New Testament, a fictitious narrative embodying and enforcing some moral truth, but a "dark saying," a mystic p…Joseph S. Exell and contributors