Numbers 23:25

Balaam Relocates Yet Again

23:25 Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all ¹  nor bless them at all!” ² 

Numbers 24:9

24:9 They crouch and lie down like a lion,

and as a lioness, ³  who can stir him?

Blessed is the one who blesses you,

and cursed is the one who curses you!’”

[23:25]  ¹ tn The verb is preceded by the infinitive absolute: “you shall by no means curse” or “do not curse them at all.” He brought him to curse, and when he tried to curse there was a blessing. Balak can only say it would be better not to bother.

[23:25]  ² tn The same construction now works with “nor bless them at all.” The two together form a merism – “don’t say anything.” He does not want them blessed, so Balaam is not to do that, but the curse isn’t working either.

[24:9]  ³ tn On the usage of this word see HALOT 517 s.v. לָבִיא.