Numbers 22:15-20
New English Translation
Balaam Accompanies the Moabite Princes
15 Balak again sent princes,[a] more numerous and more distinguished than the first.[b] 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak son of Zippor: ‘Please do not let anything hinder you from coming[c] to me. 17 For I will honor you greatly,[d] and whatever you tell me I will do. So come, put a curse on this nation for me.’”
18 Balaam replied[e] to the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not transgress the commandment[f] of the Lord my God[g] to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please stay[h] the night here also, that I may know what more the Lord might say to me.”[i] 20 God came to Balaam that night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, get up and go with them, but the word that I will say to you, that you must do.”
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- Numbers 22:15 tn The construction is a verbal hendiadys. It uses the Hiphil preterite of the verb “to add” followed by the Qal infinitive “to send.” The infinitive becomes the main verb, and the preterite an adverb: “he added to send” means “he sent again.”
- Numbers 22:15 tn Heb “than these.”
- Numbers 22:16 tn The infinitive construct is the object of the preposition.
- Numbers 22:17 tn The construction uses the Piel infinitive כַּבֵּד (kabbed) to intensify the verb, which is the Piel imperfect/cohortative אֲכַבֶּדְךָ (ʾakhabbedekha). The great honor could have been wealth, prestige, or position.
- Numbers 22:18 tn Heb “answered and said.”
- Numbers 22:18 tn Heb “mouth.”
- Numbers 22:18 sn In the light of subsequent events one should not take too seriously that Balaam referred to Yahweh as his God. He is referring properly to the deity for which he is acting as the agent.
- Numbers 22:19 tn In this case “lodge” is not used, but “remain, reside” (שְׁבוּ, shevu).
- Numbers 22:19 tn This clause is also a verbal hendiadys: “what the Lord might add to speak,” meaning, “what more the Lord might say.”
Numbers 22:15-20
International Standard Version
15 In response, Balak sent more officers—higher ranking ones, at that!— 16 who approached Balaam with this message: “This is what Zippor’s son Balak says: ‘Don’t let anything get in the way of your coming to me. 17 I’m determined to reward you generously, and I’ll do everything you tell me to do. So come right away and curse this people for me.’”
18 Balaam responded to Balak’s entourage by saying, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I won’t double-cross the command of the Lord my God in even the slightest way.[a] 19 Meanwhile, stay here overnight so I may learn what the Lord might say to me.”
20 God came to visit Balaam that same night and told him, “If the men come to call on you, get up and go with them, but be sure to do only what I tell you to do.”
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- Numbers 22:18 Lit. God to do anything whether insignificant or great
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