Text -- Numbers 23:23 (NET)

23:23 For there is no spell against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel. At this time it must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Look at what God has done!’

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Num 23:23

¹ tn Or “in Jacob.” But given the context the meaning “against” is preferable. The words describe two techniques of consulting God; the first has to do with observing omens in general (“enchantments”), and the second with casting lots or arrows of the like (“divinations” [Ezek 21:26]). See N. H. Snaith, Leviticus and Numbers (NCB), 295-96.

² tn The form is the preposition “like, as” and the word for “time” – according to the time, about this time, now.

³ tn The Niphal imperfect here carries the nuance of obligation – one has to say in amazement that God has done something marvelous or “it must be said.”

⁴ tn The words “look at” are not in the Hebrew text but have been added in the translation for clarity.