Numbers 22:8

And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

And he said {H559} unto them, Lodge {H3885} here this night {H3915}, and I will bring {H7725} you word {H1697} again {H7725}, as the LORD {H3068} shall speak {H1696} unto me: and the princes {H8269} of Moab {H4124} abode {H3427} with Balaam {H1109}.

He said to them, "Stay here tonight, and I will bring you back whatever answer ADONAI tells me." So the princes of Mo'av stayed with Bil'am.

β€œSpend the night here,” Balaam replied, β€œand I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Jehovah shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

Commentary

Numbers 22:8 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet or diviner, and Balak, the king of Moab. Here, Balaam tells the Moabite princes, who have come at Balak's behest to request a curse upon Israel, to lodge for the night while he seeks divine counsel from the LORD.

Context

The Israelites, having journeyed from Egypt, were encamped in the plains of Moab, causing great fear to Balak, the king. In his desperation, Balak sent elders of Moab and Midian to Balaam, a renowned figure known for his ability to bless or curse, offering significant fees for his services. Numbers 22:8 captures Balaam's initial response upon hearing their request. Instead of immediately agreeing or refusing, he demonstrates a practice of consulting a higher power, in this case, the God of Israel, despite his own dubious motives which would later become apparent.

Key Themes

  • Divine Consultation: Balaam's instruction to the princes to wait while he seeks a word from the LORD highlights the ancient practice of seeking divine guidance before making significant decisions. This initial act presents Balaam as someone who, at least outwardly, acknowledges the authority of God.
  • God's Sovereignty: This verse foreshadows God's direct involvement in the situation. Even though Balaam was a foreign diviner, God chose to communicate with him, demonstrating His absolute control over all people and circumstances, including those who might oppose His chosen people.
  • Initial Obedience: At this point in the narrative, Balaam appears to be obedient to the divine process, stating, "I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me." This sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of God's direct commands to Balaam, first forbidding him to go (Numbers 22:12) and later giving conditional permission (Numbers 22:20).

Linguistic Insights

The term "LORD" in this verse is the Hebrew Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•ΦΈΧ” (Yahweh), God's covenant name, indicating that it is the God of Israel, not a pagan deity, who is communicating with Balaam. This is significant, as Balaam was not an Israelite prophet, yet he acknowledges and receives revelation from Yahweh.

Practical Application

Numbers 22:8 offers several practical insights for believers today:

  • Waiting on God: Balaam's example, at least in this verse, reminds us of the importance of waiting on God's direction before acting, especially when facing significant decisions or pressures.
  • God's Unexpected Channels: God is sovereign and can use anyone, even those outside His covenant people, to accomplish His purposes or to convey His will. This highlights that His methods are not limited by human expectations.
  • Integrity in Seeking Counsel: While Balaam's motives would later be revealed as mixed with greed (see 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11), his initial posture of seeking divine guidance is a model for believers to always consult the Lord first, ensuring our hearts are pure in that seeking.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 22:19

    Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

  • Numbers 22:20

    And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, [and] go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • Numbers 12:6

    And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

  • Numbers 23:12

    And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

  • Jeremiah 12:2

    Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou [art] near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
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