Numbers 18:24

18:24 But I have given ¹  to the Levites for an inheritance the tithes of the Israelites that are offered ²  to the Lord as a raised offering. That is why I said to them that among the Israelites they are to have no inheritance.”

Numbers 22:5

22:5 And he sent messengers to Balaam ³  son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates River ⁴  in the land of Amaw, ⁵  to summon him, saying, “Look, a nation has come out of Egypt. They cover the face ⁶  of the earth, and they are settling next to me.

[18:24]  ¹ tn The classification of the perfect tense here too could be the perfect of resolve, since this law is declaring what will be their portion – “I have decided to give.”

[18:24]  ² tn In the Hebrew text the verb has no expressed subject (although the “Israelites” is certainly intended), and so it can be rendered as a passive.

[22:5]  ³ sn There is much literature on pagan diviners and especially prophecy in places in the east like Mari (see, for example, H. B. Huffmon, “Prophecy in the Mari Letters,” BA 31 [1968]: 101-24). Balaam appears to be a pagan diviner who was of some reputation; he was called to curse the Israelites, but God intervened and gave him blessings only. The passage forms a nice complement to texts that deal with blessings and curses. It shows that no one can curse someone whom God has blessed.

[22:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “by the river”; in most contexts this expression refers to the Euphrates River (cf. NAB, NCV, NRSV, TEV, CEV, NLT).

[22:5]  ⁵ tn Heb “in the land of Amaw” (cf. NAB, NRSV, TEV); traditionally “in the land of the sons of his people.” The LXX has “by the river of the land.”

[22:5]  ⁶ tn Heb “eye.” So also in v. 11.