Numbers 22:9

And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men [are] these with thee?

And God {H430} came {H935} unto Balaam {H1109}, and said {H559}, What men {H582} are these with thee?

God came to Bil'am and said, "Who are these men with you?"

Then God came to Balaam and asked, โ€œWho are these men with you?โ€

And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

Commentary

Numbers 22:9 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balaam, the prophet summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. This verse highlights God's direct and proactive involvement in human affairs, even in seemingly private conversations.

Context of Numbers 22:9

Following the Israelites' successful journey and victories, Balak, king of Moab, became deeply fearful of their presence. He dispatched elders of Moab and Midian to recruit Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse Israel, believing this would weaken them. Upon their arrival, Balaam instructed the messengers to stay the night, stating he would "bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me." It is during this night, after the messengers have settled, that God directly approaches Balaam with the question posed in verse 9: "What men [are] these with thee?" This sets the stage for God's explicit command in Numbers 22:12 not to go with them or curse Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Omniscience: God's question, "What men [are] these with thee?", is not born out of ignorance but rather out of His complete knowledge of the situation. It serves as a rhetorical question, designed to prompt Balaam and demonstrate God's awareness of his visitors and their purpose. This underscores the biblical truth that God knows our every thought and action, even before we speak or act.
  • God's Direct Intervention: This verse illustrates God's active involvement in the unfolding events. He does not remain distant but directly communicates with Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, to guide and control the situation concerning His people, Israel. This highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and individuals.
  • Testing and Accountability: The question also serves as a subtle test for Balaam. It provided him an immediate opportunity to be fully transparent with God about the men's request and his own intentions. Balaam's response in the subsequent verses reveals his initial compliance, though his heart would later be drawn by the allure of gain.

Linguistic Nuance

The Hebrew phrasing of "What men [are] these with thee?" (ืžึดื™ ื”ึธืึฒื ึธืฉึดืื™ื ื”ึธืึตืœึผึถื” ืขึดืžึธึผืšึฐ) is direct and simple. The emphasis is on the fact that God is initiating the conversation, not seeking information He doesn't already possess. Itโ€™s a divine interrogation, setting the stage for His command.

Practical Application

Numbers 22:9 offers several lessons for believers today:

  • God is Always Aware: This passage reminds us that God is fully aware of our circumstances, our company, and the temptations we face. We cannot hide our desires or intentions from Him.
  • Seek God's Counsel First: Like Balaam, we are often presented with opportunities that promise worldly gain or status. This verse encourages us to seek God's direct counsel and clear guidance before making decisions, especially when faced with conflicting loyalties or potential compromises.
  • Divine Protection: God's intervention here is ultimately for the protection of His people. It reassures us that God actively works to preserve and bless those who are His, even when they are unaware of the dangers or plots against them. This foreshadows His ongoing care for His church, as seen in passages like Romans 8:28.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 20:3

    ยถ But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 41:25

    And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do.

  • Genesis 31:24

    And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

  • Genesis 3:9

    ยถ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?

  • Genesis 3:11

    ยถ And he said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

  • Genesis 4:9

    ยถ And the LORD said unto Cain, Where [is] Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?
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