Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 23

Build me here seven altars. —The patriarchs in ancient times, just as their pious descendants did after the Law was given, never erected more than one altar in one place. A plurality of altars was the badge of idolatry. Hengsten-berg cites several instances as proof that the ancients customarily resorted to sacrifice and conjuration to avert calamity and produce prosperity (History of Balaam and his Prophecies, p. 392). The number seven was regarded as significant among the Greeks and Romans, as well as among the Israelites.

And Balak and Balaam offered.— It is more probable that Balak, as a king, performed priestly functions than that Balaam performed them alone. (See Note on Numbers 22:40.)

To a high place. —Rather, to a bare or barren height; pagan augurs were accustomed to choose elevated places for their auspices, with an extensive view, especially the barren summits of mountains.

The Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth.—“God, who had opened the mouth of the ass,” says Bishop Wordsworth, on this passage, “in a manner contrary to her nature, now opens Balaam’s mouth in a manner contrary to his own will.”

For from the top of the rocks I see him ... — From the summit of the rocky mountain on which Balak had erected his seven altars, Balaam, according to one interpretation (see Numbers 22:41, and Note), had a full view of the outstretched camps of Israel.

Lo, the people shall dwell alone ... — Better, Lo, it is a people that dwells alone, and that is not numbered, etc. In the fact that the host of Israel dwelt by itself in a separate encampment, Balaam discerned a type of the essential separation of Israel from the surrounding nations. When Israel adopted the ways of the heathen nations it speedily lost its external independence.

Hengstenberg observes on the last clause of this verse as follows: “How truly Balaam said that Israel did not reckon itself with the heathen appears from the fact that while all the powerful empires of the ancient world—the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and others—have utterly perished, Israel (which even under the Old Covenant was rescued from so many dangers that threatened its entire destruction, particularly in being brought back from exile) flourishes anew in the Church of the New Covenant, and continues also to exist in that part of it which, though at present rejected, is destined to restoration at a future period.” (History of Balaam, etc., p. 409.)