9
See the proof passages in Kurtz' History of the Old Covenant, vol. 3 p. 399; and the very interesting
discussion on the subject by Dollinger, in his splendid work, Heidenthum u. Judenthum. 155
10
As this is not the place for theological or critical discussion, I will only remark, that I cannot accept either
of the opposing views of Balaam's character - that he was a true prophet of Jehovah, or that he was simply
"a prophet o f the devil," "who was compelled by God, against his will, to bless." But as little do I profess
myself able to receive, or even properly to understand, the view of recent critics (Hengsterberg, Kurtz, Keil,
Bishop Harold Browne, etc.), that Balaam "was in a transition state from one to the other," that "he knew
and confessed Jehovah, sought and found him;" but that, "on the other hand, he was not sufficiently
advanced in the knowledge and service of Jehovah to throw overboard every kind of heathen augury." I
have, therefore, subjected the whole question to fresh investigation, the results of which are given in the
text.
11
Literally, "because he was going." Keil rightly points out that the use of the participle here implies, that
God's anger was kindled by the spirit and disposition in which he was going, rather than by the fact of his
going.
12
This is not the place to enter into critical discussions. The great matter is to understand the meaning and
object of this narrative, in whatever manner the "man's voice" may have issued from the "dumb ass," or the
human language have reached the consciousness of Balaam.
13
Canon Tristram identifies this with the old Ar, or Rabbath Moab (Land of Moab, p. 110). But this latter
seems too far south for the requirements of the text.
14
Joshua 13:19; Ezekiel 25:9, etc. See the description of the place, and of the prospect from it, in Tristram,
u.s., pp. 270, 276.
15
Tristram, p. 304.
16
So literally; Numbers 23:3.
17
The prophecies of Balaam certainly go far beyond t he range of the prophetic vision of that time. Could it
be, because Balaam was so entirely passive, as it were transmitting, without absorbing, any of the rays of
light, nor yet mingling them with the coloring in his own mind.
18
Of course, we translate literally.
19
Literally: pronounce wrath.
20
We have put it so as to include both the present and the future tense.
21
Bishop H. Browne prefers the rendering "progeny." But "the fourth part" seems to refer to the square
arrangement of the camp of Israel, each side of the square being occupied by three tribes.
22
In the plural number, referring to Israel.
23
Kurtz, History of the Old Covenant, vol. 3 p. 432, Engl. Trans.
24
Numbers 23:13. So literally; the critical discussion see in Keil, Bible Commentary, vol. 2 p. 313.
25
A description of the view from Pisgah is given in a subsequent chapter.