Numbers 22:8

22:8 He replied to them, “Stay ¹  here tonight, and I will bring back to you whatever word the Lord may speak to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

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 ²  to me. 22:17 For I will honor you greatly, ³  and whatever you tell me I will do. So come, put a curse on this nation for me.’”

Numbers 22:37

22:37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send again and again ⁴  to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” ⁵ 

Numbers 24:12

24:12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me,

¹ tn The verb לִין (lin) means “to lodge, spend the night.” The related noun is “a lodge” – a hotel of sorts. Balaam needed to consider the offer. And after darkness was considered the best time for diviners to consult with their deities. Balaam apparently knows of the Lord; he testifies to this effect in 22:18.

² tn The infinitive construct is the object of the preposition.

³ 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.

⁴ tn The emphatic construction is made of the infinitive absolute and the perfect tense from the verb שָׁלַח (shalakh, “to send”). The idea must be more intense than something like, “Did I not certainly send.” Balak is showing frustration with Balaam for refusing him.

⁵ sn Balak again refers to his ability to “honor” the seer. This certainly meant payment for his service, usually gold ornaments, rings and jewelry, as well as some animals.