26
That is, the shout of jubilee on account of the abiding presence of Jehovah as their King is in the midst of
the camp of Israel. This is symbolized by the blast of the trumpets, which is designated by the same word as
that rendered "jubilee."
27
Viz., Israel's.
28
The same word by which Balaam himself is uniformly designated as "the soothsayer."
29
In due time God reveals by His word to Israel His purpose.
30
Literally, "the torn," what he had torn in pieces.
31
The Targum Onkelos, however, renders, "the man who saw clearly."
32
Targum Onkelos: "as rivers flowing onward; as the watered garden by Euphrates - as aromatic shrubs
planted by the Lord; as cedars by the waters."
33
Agag - literally, "the fiery" - was not the name of one special king (1 Samuel 15:8), but the general
designation of the kings of Amalek, as Abimelech that of the kings of Philistia, and Pharaoh of Egypt.
34
The rendering of this clause is exceedingly difficult and doubtful. I have taken the verb in its original
meaning, divide, split, as in Judges 5:26, "When she had split and stricken through his temples."
35
This we gather from the addition of the words, "knowing the knowledge of the Most High" (24:16)
besides, "beholding the vision of the Almighty" (ver. 4).
36
Literally, makes its way.
37
Among all nations "the star" has been associated with the future glory of great kings. The application of it
to the Messiah is not only constant in Scripture, but was universally acknowledged by the ancient Jews.
Both the Targum Onkelos and that of Jonathan apply it in this manner. "The two sides of Moab," i.e., from
end to end of the land, "The sons of tumult," i.e., the rebellious nations.
38
Edom is the people; Seir the country.
39
"His enemies," viz., those of Israel; the language is very abrupt.
40
Onkelos: "prosper in riches."
41
Of course, the Assyrian empire was as yet in the far future, and could not therefore be "beheld" like
Moab, Amalek, and the Kenites.
42
Who shall be able to abide when God doeth all this?
43
The service of Baal-Peor represents the vilest form of idolatry. Set Furst, Dict. sub voce.
44
The results of that census, as compared with the first, have been stated in a previous volume.
45
The reason of any divergences has been explained in the first volume of this series (History of the
Patriarchs).