Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 23:12
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
I speak not these words by my own choice, but by the constraint of a higher power, which I cannot resist.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he answered and said,…. By reply to Balak:
must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth? pretending a great regard to the word of God, and to great carefulness to speak it, exactly and punctually as he received it, whereas he was forced to it, and could not do otherwise.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12. Must I not take heed This truly noble utterance implies that Balaam did not speak under physical constraint from Jehovah, a mere fiction of Philo, but as a free agent, clearly perceiving and admiring the right, but strongly desiring the wrong. Says Bishop Butler: “He is plainly represented to be under no other force or restraint than the fear of God.” This double part which Balaam is playing, his apparent readiness to obey Jehovah and his wish to minister to the wicked desire of his employer, will ere long bring certain ruin upon himself.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
It appears very plain, that both the employer and the employed mutually disappointed. How striking is the application of that scripture, in which it is said, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. Job 5:12-13 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 23:12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
Ver. 12. Must I not take heed to speak. ] See how those hypocrites mock one with another. Potest augur augurem videre, et non ridere? a said Cato.
a Cic., De Divinat., lib. ii.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 23:20, Num 23:26, Num 22:38, Num 24:13, Pro 26:25, Rom 16:18, Tit 1:16
Reciprocal: Exo 4:15 – and I Num 22:8 – General Num 22:20 – but yet 2Ch 18:13 – even what my God
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 23:12-13. Must I not Ought I not? Is it not my duty? Canst thou blame me for it? Thou shalt not see them all Perhaps he thought the sight of all of them might discourage him, or, as it did before, raise his fancy to an admiration of the multitude and felicity of the people.