Numbers 22:5-21
sent <07971> [sent.]
son ................ Amaw <01121> [son of Bosor.]
Pethor <06604> [Pethor.]
Dr. Kennicott justly remarks, that "the description now given of Balaam's residence, instead of being particular, agrees with any place, in any country where there is a river; for he lived by 'Pethor, which is by the river of the land of his people.' But was Pethor, then, near the Nile in Egypt? Or in Canaan, near Jordan? Or in Mesopotamia, near the Euphrates, and belonging to the Ammonites? This last was in fact the case; and therefore, it is well that twelve Hebrew MSS. (with two of De Rossi's) confirm the Samaritan text here, in reading instead of {Æ’mmo,} 'his people,' Ammon, with the Syriac and Vulgate versions." Houbigant justly contends for this reading; and necessity urges the propriety of adopting it: and it thus agrees with De 23:4. Ptolemy calls Pethor, Pachura, and Eusebius, Pathura; who places it in upper Mesopotamia. Calmet is of opinion, that it was situated towards Thapsacus, beyond the Euphrates.
cover <03680> [they cover.]
face <05869> [face. Heb. eye.]
curse ... nation ........................................ curse ... cursed <0779 05971> [curse me.]
know <03045> [I wot.]
divination <07081> [rewards of divination.]
God <0430> [God.]
men <0582> [What men.]
able ... defeat <03898 03201> [able to overcome them. Heb. prevail in fighting against them.]
Balaam <01109 03212> [Balaam, Thou shalt.]
curse <0779> [thou shalt not curse.]
blessed <01288> [for they.]
Lord <03068> [for the Lord.]
Balaam refused <01109 03985> [Balaam refuseth.]
princes <08269> [princes.]
hinder ... from coming <04513> [Let nothing, etc. Heb. Be not thou letted from, etc.]
I ... honor <03513> [I will promote.]
do <06213> [and I will do.]
<03212> [come.]
curse .... nation <06895 05971> [curse me.]
An erroneous opinion prevailed, both in those days and in after ages, that some men had the power, by the help of their gods, to devote, not only particular persons, but cities and whole armies, to destruction. This they are said to have done sometimes by words of imprecation; of which there was a set form among some people, which ’schines calls [diorizomenen aran ,] "the determinate curse." Macrobius has a whole chapter on this subject. He gives us two of the ancient forms used in reference to the destruction of Carthage; the first, which was only pronounced by the dictator, or general, was to call over the protecting deities to their side, and the other to devote the city to destruction, which they were supposed to have abandoned. The Romans held, that no city would be taken till its tutelary god had forsaken it; or if it could be taken, it would be unlawful, as it would be sacrilege to lead the gods into captivity. Virgil intimates, that Troy was destroyed because {Excessere omnes adytis, arisque relictis dii, quibus imperium hoc steterat,} "All the gods, by whose assistance the empire had hitherto been preserved, forsook their altars and temples." See more on this subject in Dr. A. Clarke, Bp. Patrick, and Burder's Oriental Customs, No. 734.
Balak .... Balak <01111> [If Balak.]
could <03201> [I cannot.]
God <0430> [God.]
<0582> [If the men.]
but <0389> [but yet.]
Deuteronomy 23:4-5
meet <01697 06923> [Because they met.]
hired <07936> [because they hired.]
Lord .......... changed ......... Lord <03068> [Nevertheless.]
Lord .......... changed ......... Lord <03068> [because the.]
Jude 1:25
only <3441> [the only.]
God <2316> [God.]
glory <1391> [be glory.]
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. St. Jude, says Origen, has written an Epistle in a few lines indeed, but full of vigorous expressions of heavenly grace.--[Ioudas <\\See definition 2455\\> men <\\See definition 3303\\> egrapsen epistolen oligostichon men <\\See definition 3303\\> pepleromenen de <\\See definition 1161\\> ouraniou charitos erromenon logon.] He briefly and forcibly represents the detestable doctrines and practices of certain false teachers, generally supposed to be the impure Gnostics, Nicolaitans and followers of Simon Magus; and reproves these profligate perverters of sound principles, and patrons of lewdness, with a holy indignation and just severity; while at the same time he exhorts all sound Christians, with genuine apostolic charity, to have tender compassion on these deluded wretches, and to endeavour vigorously to reclaim them from the ways of hell, and pluck them as brands out of the fire. There is a great similarity in sentiment and style between this Epistle and the second chapter of the second Epistle of Peter. Both writers are nearly alike in vehemence and holy indignation against impudence and lewdness, and against those who insidiously undermine chastity, purity, and sound principles.
Micah 6:5
recall <02142> [remember.]
Balak <01111> [Balak.]
Balaam <01109> [Balaam.]
Shittim <07851> [Shittim.]
acknowledge <03045> [know.]
