Numbers 24

Notes

Ver. 1. He would not again, in his magical and superstitious manner, consult God, but resolved to curse them without asking God's leave. —[Superstitious confidence in the repetition of a few words was common amongst the heathen, and constituted the principal part of their prayers, Mat. 6.7. The Jews, in times of their ignorance, entertained, and many of them do still entertain, a similar belief; hence they have as ignorantly, as superstitiously and falsely, accused our Lord of stealing the Tetragrammaton, or mysterious name of JEHOVAH, out of the temple, and working his miracles by its repetition. Many have seen, even in professing Christian countries, a few words from the New Testament, or from some vain tradition, written on parchment or paper, and hung around the neck or on the shoulders for the cure of diseases. Such superstitious belief seems to have influenced Balaam, until, having now made three experiments by sacrifice, he is compelled to give up the vain attempt at enchantment. C.]

Ver. 3, 4. Balaam, whose power to curse was so much relied on, whose will was so much inclined to it, and whose knowledge and manifestations of God are so remarkable, must and will confirm it, that Israel shall be blessed.

Ver. 6-8. These predictions not only respect the glorious state of the Jews under Joshua, David, Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, &c.; but also represent the extent, flourishing state, remarkable increase, and marvellous power of the spiritual kingdom of Christ.—[Ver. 6. Trees of lign-aloes, ahalim (Aquilaria Agallochum of botanists), is a tree which grows in Northern India and Central Asia. Its wood is very fragrant, and was much prized on this account by the ancients. It is entirely different from aloes. An essence is obtained by pounding the wood, and then pouring boiling water upon it, when the essence floats. P.—Ver. 7. 'Waters shall flow out of his two buckets; and his posterity shall be by many waters.' The meaning is—that Israel is likened to a man carrying two pails of water, after the eastern mode, upon his shoulders; and out of these water, the emblem and source of all richness, flows abundantly. His posterity too would grow up by many waters—in the most fertile regions of the earth. P.—Agag was king of the Amalekites, 1 Sa. 15.8, and it is probable it was the hereditary title of the monarchs of this people. For Israel to be higher than Agag, is to have power over the most inveterate of their enemies.—Ver. 8. The animal meant is uncertain—the rhinoceros, such as was seen by Campbell in South Africa, the head of which is lodged in the museum of the Missionary Society of London, seems to answer best both to the name unicorn, and to mighty strength: which is described as his distinguishing attribute. C.]

Ver. 17-19. These predictions had their accomplishment in the victories and conquests of the Hebrews over the Moabites or Edomites, and neighbouring nations, in the days of Ehud, Gideon, and Jephthah, Ju. iii. vii. xi.; David, 2 Sa. v. viii. x.; Jehoshaphat, 2 Ch. xx.; 2 Ki. iii.; Uzziah, 2 Ch. xxvi.; and after the Chaldean captivity, in the time of Hyrcanus and Alexander Janneus; and perhaps may have a further literal accomplishment when the Jews take possession of Canaan. They may also relate to the conquests of the heathen nations to Jesus Christ under the New Testament.

Ver. 20. The Amalekites were once one of the principal nations around Canaan, and were the first who attacked the Israelites; and therefore gradually destroyed by them in the days of Gideon, Saul, David, Hezekiah, and Esther.—[This statement has reference to antiquity and power. The Amalekites were a very ancient race, and they were among the most powerful of the clans of Western Asia. They have long disappeared, and not a trace of them remains. P.]

Ver. 21. Perhaps these Kenites were not the posterity of Jethro, but rather an Arabian tribe who were neighbours to the Amalekites, and were at last carried captive by the Assyrians, about the time of Hezekiah or Manasseh.

Ver. 24. This was fulfilled when first the Greeks, and afterwards the Romans, invaded Asia, subdued Assyria, Canaan, and the places about; and when their respective empires were, not long after, brought to ruin: the Greeks about one hundred years before Christ, and the Romans about A.D. 476; and will be more fully accomplished in the ruin of the Popish and Turkish empires.—[Eber is generally supposed to have given name to the Hebrews, though some eminent authorities assign a different etymology. It appears from Ge. 10.25 that he had two distinguished sons, who became the heads of many distinguished tribes; for 'he also' Boothroyd reads 'they also,' viz. the Assyrian land force, and the naval power of Chittim, shall perish for ever. The Assyrian monarchy has already perished, so likewise have the Greek and Roman powers by which Eber (the Jews) was 'afflicted.' C.]

Reflections.—Wretched indeed are those who are, by their conscience, excluded from the carnal enjoyments of this world, and notwithstanding live in these lusts which will exclude them from heaven: for great light may abound in the head, when there is nothing but naughtiness in the heart. Often sinners are proud of those gifts which God bestows upon them for the benefit of his people: and their knowledge, being cursed, is an effectual hindrance of true wisdom. But numerous and large are the blessings which God bestows upon faithful people! they may be an eyesore to Satan and his agents; yet God lays an effectual restraint upon their most inveterate enemies; and he will at last convince his opposers of the emptiness and folly of all their devilish devices for thwarting his purposes, or annoying his people. What infinite knowledge is there in God! he perfectly discerns every circumstance of nations and persons, ages unnumbered, before there is the smallest appearance thereof. He sees all changes to the end, all the destruction and havock which sin will make in the world of one nation after another. But blessed be the Lord, who hath raised up a Horn of salvation in the house of his servant Jacob;—a Star to enlighten the Gentiles, and be the glory of his people Israel;—a Captain of salvation to go forth conquering and to conquer. But let me not dismiss this eastern sorcerer Balaam, with his high pretences to religion, his glorious speeches, and his noted intimacy with God, without seriously inquiring, What am I—what have I—what do I—what desire I—more than he?