Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Numbers 24:1 in other translations
| BSB | And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. |
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| WEB | When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness. |
| ASV | And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. |
| YLT | And Balaam seeth that it is good in the eyes of Jehovah to bless Israel, and he hath not gone as time by time to meet enchantments, and he setteth towards the wilderness his face; |
| DARBY | And Balaam saw that it was good in the sight of Jehovah to bless Israel, and he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. |
| BBE | Now when Balaam saw that it was the Lord's pleasure to give his blessing to Israel, he did not, as at other times, make use of secret arts, but turning his face to the waste land, |
| Webster | And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. |
What does Numbers 24:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Nu 24:1-25. Balaam Foretells Israel's Happiness.
1. to seek for--that is, to use enchantments. His experience on the two former occasions [Nu 23:3, 15] had taught him that these superstitious accompaniments of his worship were useless, and therefore he now simply looked towards the camp of Israel, either with a secret design to curse them, or to await the divine afflatus.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
Balaam, finding that God was determined to bless Israel, seeks no longer for enchantments, Num 24:1. The Spirit of God coming upon him, he delivers a most important prophetic parable, Num 24:2-9. Balak's anger is kindled against him, and he commands him to depart to his own country, Num 24:10, Num 24:11. Balaam vindicates his conduct, Num 24:12, Num 24:13; and delivers a prophecy relative to the future destruction of Moab by the Israelites, Num 24:14-17; also of Edom, Num 24:18, Num 24:19; of the Amalekites, Num 24:20; and of the Kenites, Num 24:21, Num 24:22. Predicts also the destruction of Asshur and Eber, by the naval power of Chittim, which should afterwards be itself destroyed, Num 24:23, Num 24:24. Balaam and Balak separate, Num 24:25. Verse 1 He went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments - We have already had occasion to observe that the proper meaning of the word נחש nachash is not easily ascertained; see Num 21:9 (note), and Gen 3:1 (note). Here the plural נחשים nechashim is rendered enchantments; but it probably means no more than the knowledge of future events. When Balaam saw that it pleased God to bless Israel, he therefore thought it unnecessary to apply for any farther prophetic declarations of God's will as he had done before, for he could safely infer every good to this people, from the evident disposition of God towards them.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Numbers 24:1-9
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Numbers 24:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Numbers 24:1
- Numbers 23:23
Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
- Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
- Numbers 23:15
And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the Lord yonder.
- Numbers 23:28
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
- Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.
- Numbers 23:20
Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
- Numbers 23:3
And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the Lord will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
- Numbers 22:13
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
- 1 Samuel 26:2
Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
- 1 Samuel 24:20
And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
- 1 Samuel 26:25
Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
10 Balak, in anger, dismisses him.
15 He prophesies of the Star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations.
saw.
22:13; 23:20; 31:16; 1Sa 24:20; 26:2,25; Re 2:14
at other times.
23:3,15
to seek for enchantments. Heb. to the meeting ofenchantments.
23:23
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
- Numbers 24:2
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
Numbers 24:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y COMO vió Balaam que parecía bien á Jehová que él bendijese á Israel, no fué, como la primera y segunda vez, á encuentro de agüeros, sino que puso su rostro hacia el desierto; |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et Balaam vit qu’il était bon aux yeux de l’ Éternel de bénir Israël, et il n’alla pas, comme d’autres fois, à la rencontre des enchantements, mais il tourna sa face vers le désert. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Und als Bileam sah, daß es gut war in den Augen Jehovas, Israel zu segnen, so ging er nicht, wie die anderen Male, auf Wahrsagerei aus, sondern richtete sein Angesicht nach der Wüste hin. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Cumque vidisset Balaam quod placeret Domino ut benediceret Israëli, nequaquam abiit ut ante perrexerat, ut augurium quæreret: sed dirigens contra desertum vultum suum, |