Numbers 24:9-11

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

and as a lioness, ¹  who can stir him?

Blessed is the one who blesses you,

and cursed is the one who curses you!’”

24:10 Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. ²  Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless ³  them these three times! 24:11 So now, go back where you came from! ⁴  I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the Lord has stood in the way of your honor.”

[24:9]  ¹ tn On the usage of this word see HALOT 517 s.v. לָבִיא.

[24:10]  ² sn This is apparently a sign of contempt or derision (see Job 27:23; and Lam 2:15).

[24:10]  ³ tn The construction is emphatic, using the infinitive absolute with the perfect tense for “bless.”

[24:11]  ³ tn Heb “flee to your place.”