Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 22:36
And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which [is] in the border of Arnon, which [is] in the utmost coast.
36. unto the City of Moab ] unto Ir of Moab. The Heb. form of the name Ar of Moab (Num 21:28).
which is on the border of Arnon ] i.e. the border or boundary formed by the Arnon. Moab at this time possessed no land north of the Arnon; Ir (Ar) of Moab thus lay on their northern border. The following clause defines the locality further.
which is at the end of the border ] Since Balaam was coming from the east, ‘the end’ must be the eastern end; that is to say Ir (Ar) of Moab lay somewhere on the upper, eastern, course of the Arnon.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Num 22:36-41
Balaam went with Balak.
The meeting between Balak and Balaam
We have here the meeting between Balak and Balaam, confederate enemies to Gods Israel; but here they seem to differ in their expectations of the success.
1. Balak speaks of it with confidence, not doubting but to gain his point now Balaam was come. In expectation of this he went out to meet him, even to the utmost border of his country (Num 22:36); partly to gratify his own impatient desire to see one he had such great expectations from, and partly to do honour to Balaam, and so to engage him with his utmost power to serve him. See what respect heathen princes paid to those that had but the name of prophets, and how welcome one was that came with his mouth full of curses. What a shame is it, then, that the ambassadors of Christ are so little respected by most, and that they are so coldly entertained who bring tidings of peace and blessing! Note, promotion to honour is a very tempting bait to many people; and it were well if we would be drawn into the service of God by the honour He sets before us. Why do we delay to come unto, Him? Is not He able to promote us to honour?
2. Balaam speaks doubtfully of the issue, and bids Balak not depend too much upon him. Have I now any power at all to say anything? (Num 22:38). I am come, but what the nearer am I? Gladly would I curse Israel; but I must not, I cannot, God will not suffer me. He seems to speak with vexation at the hook in his nose, and the bridle in his jaws; such as Sennacherib was tied up with (Isa 37:29).
3. They address themselves with all speed to the business; Balaam is nobly entertained overnight, a sacrifice of thanksgiving is offered to the gods of Moab for the safe arrival of this welcome guest, and he is treated with a feast upon the sacrifice (Num 22:40); and the next morning, that no time might be lost, Balak takes Balaam in his chariot to the high places of his kingdom, not only because their holiness (such as it was), he thought, might give some advantage to his divinations, but their height might give him a convenient prospect of the camp of Israel, which was to be the mark at which he must shoot his envenomed arrows. And now Balaam is really as solicitous to please Balak as ever he pretended to be to please God. See what need we have to pray every day, Our Father in heaven, lead us not into temptation. (Matthew Henry, D. D.)
.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
That by this great honour he might give him a taste and earnest of those great rewards he designed him, and thereby oblige him to use his utmost skill and interest for him.
The utmost coast; not far from the camp of the Israelites, whom he desired him to curse.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
36, 37. when Balak heard that Balaamwas come, he went out to meet himPoliteness requires that thehigher the rank of the expected guest, greater distance is to be goneto welcome his arrival.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when Balak heard that Balaam was come,…. Messengers being sent to acquaint him with it, either by Balaam, or by the princes:
he went out to meet him; overjoyed at the news that his princes had succeeded, and to show him respect, and do him honour, and all to encourage him to do his utmost for him:
unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast; by the situation of it, being on the border of the river Arnon, which river was in the extreme parts of Moab, and divided between the Moabites and Amorites, it is generally thought to be the city Ar, called “Ar of Moab”, see Nu 21:13, and the king coming to meet Balaam so far as the uttermost border of his dominions showed the greater respect to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Reception of Balaam by the King of the Moabites. – Num 22:36, Num 22:37. As soon as Balak heard of Balaam’s coming, he went to meet him at a city on the border of the Arnon, which flowed at the extreme (north) boundary (of the Moabitish territory), viz., at Areopolis (see at Num 21:15), probably the capital of the kingdom at one time, but now reduced to a frontier town, since Sihon the Amorite had taken all the land as far as the Arnon; whilst Rabbah, which was farther south, had been selected as the residence of the king. By coming as far as the frontier of his kingdom to meet the celebrated soothsayer, Balak intended to do him special honour. But he would not help receiving him with a gentle reproof for not having come at his first invitation, as if he, the king, had not been in a condition to honour him according to his merits.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Meeting between Balak and Balaam. | B. C. 1452. |
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. 37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? 38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth. 40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.
We have here the meeting between Balak and Balaam, confederate enemies to God’s Israel; but here they seem to differ in their expectations of the success. 1. Balak speaks of it with confidence, not doubting but to gain his point now that Balaam had come. In expectation of this, he went out to meet him, even to the utmost border of his country (v. 36), partly to gratify his own impatient desire to see one he had such great expectations from, and partly to do honour to Balaam, and so to engage him with his utmost power to serve him. See what respect heathen princes paid to those that had but the name and face of prophets, and pretended to have any interest in heaven; and how welcome one was that came with his mouth full of curses. What a shame is it then that the ambassadors of Christ are so little respected by most, so much despised by some, and that those are so coldly entertained who bring tidings of peace and a blessing! Balak has now nothing to complain of but that Balaam did not come sooner, v. 37. And he thinks that he should have considered the importunity Balak had used, Did I not earnestly send to thee? (and the importunity of people inferior to kings has prevailed with many against their inclinations), and that he should also have considered Balak’s intentions concerning him: Am not I able to promote thee to honour? Balak, as king, was in his own kingdom the fountain of honour, and Balaam should have his choice of all the preferments that were in his gift; he therefore thinks himself affronted by Balaam’s delays, which looked as if he thought the honours he prepared not worthy his acceptance. Note, Promotion to honour is a very tempting bait to many people; and it were well if we would be drawn into the service of God by the honour he sets before us. Why do we delay to come unto him? Is not he able to promote us to honour? 2. Balaam speaks doubtfully of the issue, and bids Balak not depend to much upon him (v. 38): “Have I now any power at all to say any thing? I have come, but what the nearer am I? Gladly would I curse Israel; but I must not, I cannot, God will not suffer me.” He seems to speak with vexation at the hook in his nose and the bridle in his jaws, such as Sennacherib was tied up with, Isa. xxxvii. 29. 3. They address themselves with all speed to the business. Balaam is nobly entertained over night, a sacrifice of thanksgiving is offered to the gods of Moab, for the safe arrival of this welcome guest, and his is treated with a feast upon the sacrifice, v. 40. And the next morning, that no time might be lost, Balak takes Balaam in his chariot to the high places of his kingdom, not only because their holiness (such as it was), he thought, might give some advantage to his divinations, but their height might give him a convenient prospect of the camp of Israel, which was to be the butt or mark at which he must shoot his envenomed arrows. And now Balaam is really as solicitous to please Balak as ever he had pretended to be to please God. See what need we have to pray every day, Our Father in heaven, lead us not into temptation.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 36-41:
“A city of Moab,” literally “Ir-Moab” or “Ar-Moab,” likely the “Ar” mentioned in Nu 21:15 on the boundary of Moab.
Balak petulantly rebuked Balaam for not answering his initial summons. Balaam replied by affirming that he was unable to go beyond what God permitted.
“Kirjath-huzoth,” the “city of streets,” possibly Shihan, near the site of Ar.
Balak’s offering was likely not to Chemosh, but to Jehovah. there is no inference that God accepted it, however. Meat from this offering was given to the dignitaries in the party, for their food. This may have been a part of Balak’s payment to them.
Balak took Balaam to a mountain peak, where he could overlook Israel’s encampment, a high place which was dedicated to Baal.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
36. And whenBalak heard that Balaam was come. This passage admirably represents to us the spirit of all those who are devoted to their various superstitions without a sincere fear of God. They are cringing to their false prophets; they meanly flatter them, and hardly stop short of worshipping them, so that nothing more obsequious can be imagined; yet they inwardly cherish pride, which breaks out when they by no means expect, it. The king goes forth to meet the prophet, and to pay due honors to himself and his office. It is a great condescension; for it is equivalent to laying his crown and sceptre at his feet: but his dissimulation soon discovers itself, when, expostulating with Balaam, he boasts of his power and riches, wherewith he was able to reward him. Now this is precisely as if he should make the prophetical office subservient to money, and claim the dominion over its revelations by means of his wealth. However great, then, may be the servility with which superstitious persons flatter their idols and priests, still they never lay aside their proud spirits. Such zeal we may see in the Papists, who are as prodigal as possible of the reverence which they parade towards their prelates and monks; but on this condition, that they will be, on their part, complacent to their lusts. If, therefore, a priest, (sacrificus) will not gratify his worshippers, they inveigh against him with as much bitterness as if he were any swine-herd.
The answer of Balaam at first sight breathes nothing but piety: “I have come, (he says,) but I must needs speak as God shall command.” Whereby he signifies, that, as far as civility required, and inasmuch as depended upon himself, he would have complied with the wishes of the king; but that, in regard to his office as a prophet, he was not at liberty to do this, inasmuch as he would disregard the favor of all mankind, in order that he might obey the commands of God alone.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(36) A city of Moab.Better, the city of Moab. (Comp. Num. 21:15.)
Which is in the utmost coast.Or, which flows at the extremity of the border. Sihon, the Amorite, had taken possession of the Moabitish territory as far as the Arnon.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
BALAAM RECEIVED BY BALAK, Num 22:36-41.
36. He went out to meet him This compliment indicates the greatness of Balaam’s reputation and the greatness of Balak’s expectations. See Gen 14:17-18; Gen 46:29; Exo 18:7. Because of this act of Moab, and because a like honour was not done to Israel when he appeared on the border of Moab on his exode from Egypt, Jehovah’s former command, “Thou shalt not distress Moab,” was changed into this: “Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all the days of thy life.” See Deu 23:3-6.
Unto a city of Moab This frontier city on the Arnon must have been Areopolis, or Ar. See Num 21:15, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Balaam’s Arrival in Moab ( Num 22:36-38 ).
Num 22:36
‘And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab (or ‘a city of Moab’), which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border.’
Meanwhile Balak learned that he was coming, and Balaam’s importance was such that Balak went with an official welcoming party to the very borders of Moab. ’Ir of Moab may have been the name of the city. Or the idea may simply be to indicate ‘a border city’. It was on the banks of the Arnon, the extreme border of Moab.
Num 22:37
‘And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honour?” ’
When the two parties met up Balak, while remembering whom he was speaking to, expressed his displeasure. He could not understand why Balaam had prevaricated and had delayed coming. Had he not been made aware of the urgency of his request? Why then had he not come immediately the first time? Did he not recognise the honour that Balak could bestow on him? The stress that Balak felt himself under with the Israelite threat just across the border comes out in his aggravation at the slight delay. (Kings are used to saying what they want, but some of Balak’s followers may have been apprehensive about him speaking to the mighty Balaam in this way. They did not know about the incident of the ass).
Num 22:38
‘And Balaam said to Balak, “Lo, I am come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.” ’
Balaam haughtily pointed out that he should be satisfied with the fact that he was here. But with his recent experience in mind he emphasised that he was not in a position to speak anything he wanted. He could only speak what God put in his mouth. And that is all that he would speak. Balak was satisfied with that. After all, that was Balaam’s speciality, making gods do what he wanted.
Num 22:39-40
‘ And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. And Balak sacrificed (or ‘slaughtered’) oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the chieftains who were with him.’
Balak then took Balaam and the chieftains to a city named Kiriath-huzoth, and there Balak offered sacrifices and from the sacrifices provided food for them. ‘Sacrificed (slaughtered).’ This may simply have indicated the slaughtering of animals for a feast, or may have included a ritual ceremony of sacrifices to Chemosh, the god of Moab, and possibly to the god of the Midianites. Note how the whole account began with the chieftains and ends with them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Balak’s charge to Balaam
v. 36. And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him. unto a city of Moab which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast, v. 37. And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? Wherefore camest thou not unto me? Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor? v. 38. And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I have come unto thee, v. 39. And Balaam went with Balak, v. 40. And Balak offered oxen and sheep, v. 41. And it came to pass on the morrow that Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
The long wished for interview is now obtained, and Balak makes sure that he shall now accomplish his wishes against Israel. But Balaam had his fears about him, as conscious sinners sometimes have, that he should not be able to do what he wished as much as Balak did; namely, to curse the people of GOD. Nevertheless, they went both together, and did as the enemies of JESUS in after ages are described as doing; they took counsel together against the LORD, and against his anointed. Psa 2:2-4 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
coast = border.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
went: Gen 14:17, Gen 18:2, Gen 46:29, Exo 18:7, 1Sa 13:10, Act 28:15
the border: Num 21:13, Num 21:14, Deu 2:24, Deu 3:8, Jdg 11:18, Isa 16:2, Jer 48:20
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 22:36-38. In the utmost coast Not far from the camp of the Israelites, whom he desired him to curse. Have I now any power at all, &c. He here lets Balak know he was under the overruling power of God, whose commands he could not gainsay.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 22:36-40. The Meeting of Balak and Balaam.Partly from E. and partly from J, but the distribution between the two sources is uncertain. Probably Num 22:36 and Num 22:38 belong to E, describing (in continuation of Num 22:21) Balaams journey to Moab, where he is met by Balak at the frontier city of Moab (the Ar of Num 21:15); whilst Num 22:37 and Num 22:39 belong to J, and imply that Balak went in person to fetch Balaam, who returned with him to Kiriath-huzoth (an unknown locality). The sacrifices mentioned in Num 22:40 formed part of a feast of welcome, shares of the feast being sent both to Balaam and to the princes.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
22:36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which [is] in the {r} border of Arnon, which [is] in the utmost coast.
(r) Near the place where the Israelites camped.