Numbers 22:16-17

22:16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak son of Zippor: ‘Please do not let anything hinder you from coming ¹  to me. 22:17 For I will honor you greatly, ²  and whatever you tell me I will do. So come, put a curse on this nation for me.’”

Numbers 22:1

Balaam Refuses to Curse Israel

22:1 ³ The Israelites traveled on ⁴  and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan River ⁵  across from Jericho. ⁶ 

Numbers 28:10

28:10 This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, ⁷  besides the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.

Numbers 28:13

28:13 and one-tenth of an ephah of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each lamb, as a burnt offering for a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

¹ tn The infinitive construct is the object of the preposition.

² tn The construction uses the Piel infinitive כַּבֵּד (kabbed) to intensify the verb, which is the Piel imperfect/cohortative אֲכַבֶּדְךָ (’akhabbedkha). The great honor could have been wealth, prestige, or position.

³ sn The fifth section of the book (22:1-33:56) traces the Israelite activities in Transjordan. It is hard to determine how long they were in Transjordan, but a good amount of time must have elapsed for the number of moves they made and the wars they fought. There is a considerable amount of information available on this section of the book. Some of the most helpful works include: H. C. Brichto, The Problem of “Curse” in the Hebrew Bible (JBLMS); E. Burrows, The Oracles of Jacob and Balaam; G. W. Coats, “Balaam, Sinner or Saint?” BR 18 (1973): 21-29; P. C. Craigie, “The Conquest and Early Hebrew Poetry,” TynBul 20 (1969): 76-94; I. Parker, “The Way of God and the Way of Balaam,” ExpTim 17 (1905): 45; and J. A. Wharton, “The Command to Bless: An Exposition of Numbers 22:41–23:25,” Int 13 (1959): 37-48. This first part introduces the characters and sets the stage for the oracles. It can be divided into four sections: the invitation declined (vv. 1-14), the second invitation extended (vv. 15-21), God opposes Balaam (vv. 22-35), and Balaam meets Balak (vv. 36-41).

⁴ tn The verse begins with the vav (ו) consecutive.

⁵ tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁶ map For the location of Jericho see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.

⁷ tn Heb “the burnt offering of the Sabbath by its Sabbath.”