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Numbers 22:40

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 22:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
Numbers 22:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?
38And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth.
40And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
41And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people.
← Numbers 22:39Numbers 22:41 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Balak offered oxen and sheep, etc.] Or “slew” f354 them, either for sacrifice; and if so Balak was the sacrificer, as it was common for kings to be priests; and then Balaam, who was sent for, was the prophet, that was to observe and explain any omen at the time of sacrificing, as Calchas did, when the chiefs of Greece sacrificed f355: or rather for a feast, as the following words seem to show; though it might be for both, it being usual, when sacrifices were offered to idols, to eat part of them in a festival way, in imitation of the peace offerings of the Jews, (see <042502>Numbers 25:2): and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him; either part of it to them, or he sent…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Balak offered oxen and sheep--made preparations for a grand entertainment to Balaam and the princes of Midian.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The princes - Whom the king had left to attend him. Numbers 22:41”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 23:2, Num 23:14, Num 23:30; Gen 31:54; Pro 1:16 Numbers 22:41”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification