Numbers 13:23-24

13:23 When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a staff ¹  between two men, as well as some of the pomegranates and the figs. 13:24 That place was called ²  the Eshcol Valley, ³  because of the cluster ⁴  of grapes that the Israelites cut from there.

Numbers 21:13

21:13 From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends from the regions ⁵  of the Amorites, for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

Numbers 22:41

22:41 Then on the next morning Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to Bamoth Baal. ⁶  From there he saw the extent of the nation.

Numbers 23:27

23:27 Balak said to Balaam, “Come, please; I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God ⁷  to let you curse them for me from there.” ⁸ 

[13:23]  ¹ tn The word is related etymologically to the verb for “slip, slide, bend, totter.” This would fit the use very well. A pole that would not bend would be hard to use to carry things, but a pole or stave that was flexible would serve well.

[13:24]  ² tn The verb is rendered as a passive because there is no expressed subject.

[13:24]  ³ tn Or “Wadi Eshcol.” The translation “brook” is too generous; the Hebrew term refers to a river bed, a ravine or valley through which torrents of rain would rush in the rainy season; at other times it might be completely dry.

[13:24]  ⁴ tn The word “Eshcol” is drawn from the Hebrew expression concerning the “cluster of grapes.” The word is probably retained in the name Burj Haskeh, two miles north of Damascus.

[21:13]  ³ tn Or “border.”

[22:41]  ⁴ sn The name Bamoth Baal means “the high places of Baal.”

[23:27]  ⁵ tn Heb “be pleasing in the eyes of God.”

[23:27]  ⁶ sn Balak is stubborn, as indeed Balaam is persistent. But Balak still thinks that if another location were used it just might work. Balaam had actually told Balak in the prophecy that other attempts would fail. But Balak refuses to give up so easily. So he insists they perform the ritual and try again. This time, however, Balaam will change his approach, and this will result in a dramatic outpouring of power on him.